301 



There is no one thing which will give the necessary stimulus 

 to this branch of animal industry as the keen competition be- 

 tween the polo teams of the different islands and the racing 

 stock of the various ranches. The records are eloquent in estab- 

 lishing the fact that both classes of animals can be bred and 

 raised in these Islands. These two sports should be encouraged 

 on every hand, not alone for the interest they stimulate in spec- 

 tators and participants, but as a means par excellence of promot- 

 ing horse raising in this Territory. 



CONCLUSION. 



In concluding allow me to men.tion briefly a few lines along 

 which future development should be expected. 



In the eleven months from June, 1916, to May, 1917, there 

 were imported into the Territory canned beef, bacon and hams 

 totaling 1,616,735 pounds, having a total valuation of $368,166. 

 These products could and should be produced here. Experts in 

 this line could be obtained and a suitable building erected. The 

 above figures would seem to show an agreeable margin of profit. 



In the above-mentioned period, dressed poultry to the value 

 of over $90,000 was imported; also, over 36,000 live chickens 

 and turkeys for slaughter. Little interest has been taken in the 

 raising of poultry either for meat or for tgg production. The 

 climatic conditions are unexcelled, and there is a freedom from 

 poultry diseases here not found in many parts of the world. The 

 most serious menace, contagious epithelioma, can now be con- 

 trolled through vaccination. The present high price of feeds has 

 no doubt exerted considerable restraining influence. 



Grain feeding of cattle and sheep for the market has never 

 been undertaken here to any extent. It is a field for future de- 

 velopment and offers a valuable means of rounding out under- 

 weight stock and tiding over a period of drought. The best 

 grass-fattened cattle slaughtered here compare very favorably 

 with the specially market-fed cattle elsewhere, and are as a rule 

 superior to grass- fed cattle on the mainland. This method of 

 finishing cattle and sheep will imdoubtedly be taken up by some 

 of the ranches in the near future. 



In this connection it may be stated that a system of grading 

 beef according to the quality and condition should be established, 

 together with a corresponding scale of prices. By doing this 

 the breeder will receive the full value he is entitled to according 

 to his eft'orts to improve his stock. 



As homesteading is being considered more and more and a 

 greater amount of land being devoted to that purpose each year, 

 it would appear that the homesteader could add materially to 

 his profit if he kept a few good cows. Such cows would not 

 only be required to produce milk, cream and butter in good sup- 

 ply, but should be expected to raise a calf each year that could 



