Cotton is gathered in wonderful quantity in all parts of the land and there are two kinds of it. One they sow every year and its little tree does not last more than that year and is very small. The stalk of the other lasts five or six years and bears its fruit ever year which are pods like walnuts with a green shell, which opens in four parts in due time and contains the cotton. They used to harvest cochineal, and they say that was the best in the Indies from coming from dry land, and the Indians still gather quite a little of it in some years. There are colors of many different kinds made from the dyes of certain trees and flowers and since the Indians have not known how to perfect them with gums, which gave them the medium which they need, so that they shall not fade, they do fade. But those who gather silk have now sought remedies, and they saw that they will now make them as perfect as I the place where they are made most perfect.

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The Indians have not lost but rather have gained much by the coming of the Spanish nation, even in matters of small moment, although it is of importance many things have been added to them which as time goes on they must inevitably come to enjoy and use many of them. There are many good horses and many female and male mules; asses do not do well and I think that making much of them is the reason for it, since without fail they are strong beasts and indulgence harms them. There are many and very beautiful cows, many pigs, sheep, ewes, goats, and such dogs whose usefulness merits it, so that in the Indies they have no reckon it among the useful things. There are cats which are very useful and necessary there and the Indians are very fond of them. Hens, pigeons, oranges, limes, citrons, grapevines, pomegranates, figs, guava trees, date trees, bananas, melons and the rest of the vegetables, and only the melons and gourds are raised form their own seed, since for the others, fresh seed from Mexico is needed. Silk is now raised there and it is very good.