TRANSPORTATION AND AGRICULTURE 



161 



malahojilla (Hymenachine striatum), which the cattle con- 

 sume. 



Small but hardy horses are also common. Some efforts 

 have been made to improve them by the introduction of 

 American breeds. The smaller domestic animals also 

 abound, especially poultry. 



The principal agricultural exports in 1896, according to 

 the British consul, were : 



There are one hundred and thirty-seven English miles 

 of railroad in operation, besides one hundred and seventy 

 miles under construction. A contract was made in 1888 to 

 encircle the island with a railroad. A Spanish company 

 was formed in Madrid, and the government guaranteed 

 eight per cent, on the capital for six years, the capital not 

 to exceed two million pounds. The length of the road was 

 to be two hundred and eighty-three miles. One hundred 

 and nineteen miles were built by 1892, but little has been 

 done since, and the government refused to renew the con- 

 tract. Among the lines in operation are those from San 

 Juan to La Carolina, 14 miles ; from San Juan to Camuy, 

 61.5 miles ; from Aguadilla to Mayaguez, 14 miles ; and 

 from Yauco to Ponce, 20.5 miles. 



One may travel by highways with a fair amount of com- 

 fort all over the island. The Spaniards generally arc poor 

 road-builders, but in this island have done better than in 

 Cuba. Many of the roads, in fact, are excellent. The 

 towns are connected by highways which develop around 

 the peripheries of the island quadrilateral. There is also 

 a second quadrilateral system, which is united at intervals 

 with the outer system by transverse routes. 



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