Prospects in Mexico 155 



poonac. Of late years a cattle-raising industry 

 has grown up in the eastern districts of the 

 States of San Luis Potosi, Southern Tamauli- 

 pas, Vera Cruz, Oaxaca and Chiapas, which, 

 although still in its infancy, is important. 

 Taking advantage of the wonderful properties 

 of the para grass, the stockmen in these 

 regions purchase lean stock in the grazing 

 countries of the northern part of the Republic, 

 and fatten it for the Pachuca, Puebla, City of 

 Mexico, and Yucatan markets. Lean stock 

 can be bought reasonably according to age and 

 condition. It is estimated that two acres of 

 good para grass, if cut and fed, will feed three 

 head of stock the year round ; in pasture four 

 acres will fatten four head. The grass is ever- 

 green, of luxuriant growth, very nourishing, 

 and will exterminate all weeds. 



There now 7 seems no question but that on 

 account of the large ranches being rapidlybroken 

 up in the United States, and subdivided for 

 agricultural purposes, Mexico is bound to be- 

 come the breeding-ground of the American beef 

 supply. The northern portion of Mexico is 

 generally of high elevation and has millions of 

 acres remarkably adapted to cattle breeding ; 

 but on account of the long dry season in some 

 districts the feed throughout the year is not 

 sufficient to develop the cattle to a condition 

 where they are fat enough to go on the market, 

 but for breeding purposes this land is unexcelled, 

 as indeed is nearly all of the tableland of Mexico. 



