108 PRODUCTION 



Attention is given mainly to cattle, but pigs and sheep are also 

 raised. The mountainous nature of the island and the abundant 

 rainfall contribute to the existence of rich highland pastures favour 

 able to the rearing of sheep and cattle, while the tropical and sub- 

 tropical crops of the lowlands provide abundant material for the 

 fattening of lard-producing pigs. Recent statistics show that the 

 island is increasing its exported surplus of animal foodstuffs, the 

 most important items being salted, preserved and refrigerated 

 meats, lard, and live animals. Several freezing works have already 

 been established at various points on the coast, and it seems prob- 

 able that in the future there will be further marked increases in 

 the quantities of meat and meat products exported. 1 



TROPICAL HIGHLANDS IN THE NEW WORLD. 



In Mexico and Central America there are extensive plateaus 

 and mountain highlands where the climatic conditions are fairly 

 suitable for cattle and sheep. The plateau of Mexico, south of the 

 tropic of Cancer, includes the most densely populated part of the 

 whole country, and cereal cultivation is, naturally, the principal 

 form of agriculture. Since, however, in ordinary years Mexico 

 is unable to supply its own needs in cereals from its own resources, 

 it is not likely that the existing animal-rearing industries will be 

 much extended in the future even with the possible introduction 

 of more modern methods of cultivation and animal husbandry. 

 From an agricultural point of view the wealth of Southern Mexico 

 lies in tropical produce, raised on the slopes of the plateau and on 

 the lowlands, but these parts of the country are naturally quite 

 unsuitable for stock-raising. 



The States of Central America also contain certain highlands 

 with well-watered valleys suitable for cattle rearing. The total 

 number of cattle in these states is about 1-6 millions, 2 while the 

 population is relatively sparse, except in the small State of Sal- 

 vador. According to an American Report 3 there are considerable 

 numbers of cattle in Southern Honduras in the provinces of Cholu- 

 teca and Olancho bordering on Nicaragua. This district, occupying 

 the middle part of the Central American region, may perhaps 

 be taken as typical, at any rate of the Pacific Slope, where the 

 rainfall and climate are less tropical than elsewhere. Here the 

 " soil, grass and climate are well adapted to stock-raising." The 

 possible surplus for export from Honduras alone is estimated at 

 about 30,000 head per annum. Hitherto, however, little progress 

 in stock-raising for export has been made owing to characteristic 

 causes. No provision is made for carrying stock in good condition 



1 The exports of meat from Madagascar rose from 23,000 Ibs. in 1903 to- 

 over half a million Ibs. in 1909, and to 5 million Ibs. in 1911. U.S. Dept. 

 Agric., Bureau Crop Estimates Report, 109. 



2 According to the figures given in the U.S. Year Book of Agriculture, 1914,. 

 p. 613. 



3 Animal Industry Kept., 1910, pp. 285 et seq. 



