39 Agricultural Cuba 



yield of from 20 per cent to 40 per cent on the 

 investment. 



At the beginning of the War of Independence, 

 in 1895, over three million head of native cattle 

 were registered in the Island of Cuba. The four 

 years of continual struggle between Spain and 

 the people of Cuba almost exterminated this 

 stock. At the beginning of the first intervention 

 cattle were rushed into Cuba from all nearby 

 countries, including Texas, Florida, Venezuela and 

 Mexico. During the past few years quite a 

 number of high grade animals have been intro- 

 duced for breeding purposes, and the condition 

 of present herds are rapidly improving. 



Cuba is quite as well adapted for the raising ot 

 horses and mules as any part of the United States. 



The abundance of food found throughout the 

 year, the lack of sleet or snow, or cold, wet rains, 

 assure conditions ideal for the growth of young 

 animals up to the point of maturity. 



A great many American horses were brought 

 to Cuba by the army of occupation, and it is a 

 notable fact that the losses by disease were less 

 than were experienced in their native country. 



The native Cuban horses are of the Arabian 

 stock, introduced in Cuba by the first Spanish 

 conquerors. They are hardy, gentle, good breed- 

 ers, and of marvelous endurance. When crossed 

 with good Kentucky, Missouri, or Montana stock, 

 they prove excellent service animals. 



The breeding of mules, for which there is a 

 great demand in Cuba, would prove a most 

 profitable enterprise, particularly since it will be 

 but a short time when the slow going ox-cart 

 must ^ive way to more rapid methods of trans- 

 portation in the sugar districts. 



