35 



have been introduced. The grazing areas are gradually 

 being improved by the distribution of desirable species 

 of grass. 



LIVE STOCK. 



About 1,600,000 acres of land are used for grazing 

 purposes. On the ranches, v^hich control this land, there 

 are 130,000 cattle, valued at $1,699,999; 100,000 sheep, 

 valued at $126,000; in addition to horses, mules and hogs. 

 The ranching business is almost entirely in the hands 

 of American citizens. In the early days of ranching in 

 Hav^raii, cattle and sheep, as well as horses, were practi- 

 cally in a wild condition, ranging over the graziijg lands, 

 and also through the mountain forests. At present the 

 best ranches are fenced and divided by cross-fences into 

 large pastures for the better manipulation of the stock, - 

 and the control of the grazing areas. In order to increase 

 the carrying capacity of the range, and to prevent losses 

 which have occurred in the seasons of drought, it is 

 necessary to increase, as greatly as possible, forage pro- 

 duction on ranches by planting alfalfa, corn, sorghum, 

 peas, cassava, and various other crops. An active move- 

 ment in this direction is now taking place. In the fol- 

 lowing paragraphs a few details are given regarding the 

 status of different lines of animal industry. 



The annual consumption of beef in the Islands is about 

 14.000 carcasses and the demands for beef'are increasing 

 quite rapidly. Thus far the ranches have been able to 

 produce all the beef that is required, and the increased 

 demands for beef can be met by better management of 

 ranches, particularly in producing larger quantities of 

 cultivated -forage. The chief breeds of cattle raised for 

 beef are Devon, Hereford, Shorthorn and Holstein. On 

 some of the ranches the Herefords are decidedly preferred 

 on account of their ideal beef form and large size. In 

 other localities, the Devons give better results on account 

 of being more active on the range, and perhaps less sus- 

 ceptible to attacks of sore eyes. Shorthorns and Angus 

 have given less satisfactory results than on the mainland. 

 If the beef market showed more discrimination as to 

 quality of beef, there would be less demand for Holstein 

 beef. but. at present this breed gives a good account of 

 itself on the range and produces a quality of beef which 

 satisfies the ordinary consumer. 



The greater number of sheep are located on six ranches, 

 two of the smaller islands being practically given over 



