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on the Maranon river at an altitude of only 350 feet and ocean steams ascend to this point from the Atlantic Ocean. As one passes down these valleys one goes from the temperate into subtropical and tropical regions in rapid succession. On the eastern slope of the eastern Cordillera the conditions are similar to those found in the Oriente of Ecuador.

Agriculture of Peru.

Cotton and sugar have been mentioned as the chief products of the coastal plain. In the Sierra and at intermediate altitudes the crops are barley, wheat, potatoes, beans, corn,and alfalfa. In the subtropical valleys coffee is important. In the forests of the upper waters of the Amazon rubber has been important but within recent years the rubber industry has suffered from the competition from the East Indies.

At 12000 feet the altitude crops for the most part are wanting though some things can be grown in protected places. Barley and beans are grown at the highest altitude, then, at a somewhat lower altitude, come corn and potatoes, then wheat and alfalfa.

There are certain indigenous crop plants used at high altitudes by the natives. Among the more important of these are quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), oca (Oxalis tuberosa) and papa lisa (Ullueus tuberosus). The seeds of quinoa are used for porridge; the tubers of oca and papa lisa are used in the same manner as potatoes. All are grown at high altitudes.

An important crop of the semitropical valleys is coca which will be