HONDURAS. 599 



THE CATTLE SPIDER. 



Another drawback to the cattle industry is found in the existence of 

 a spider, which, it is said, rushes out of its burrow in the ground, when 

 disturbed by the tread of stock, and bites the animal at the first tender 

 place it reaches, which is just above the hoof; and this causes fever and 

 inflammation. The fever results in a separation of the hoof from the 

 skin, and the hoof falls off. An early application of aqua ammonia or 

 strong tobacco juice will stop the inflammation and prevent the loss of 

 the hoof. 



STOCK RANGERS AND HERDERS. 



By law all owners of cattle have the right to graze their stock upon 

 the Government lands; but no one has the right to inclose such lands 

 without first obtaining a concession from the Government of such right 

 or privilege. However, there is little or no need for fencing, as no causes 

 exist here that drive cattle from their accustomed range. No fierce 

 storms sweep over these savannas to drive cattle before them for days 

 without ceasing ; no frost ruins the grass ; no ice closes the streams ; 

 no snow covers the herbage, and shade is furnished by the scattered 

 live oaks, the pines, and by the hills. Stock that has become wonted 

 to any locality will find nothing to tempt or to drive it to stray. This 

 is decidedly favorable to the owner, since he is saved the expense of 

 fencing, and needs but few men to care for his herds. Indeed, it is 

 stated by those who have given the subject much study, that 50 cents 

 per head will pay all necessary expenses of keeping a herd of cattle in 

 Honduras. The native or Indian is by instinct, training, and inclina^ 

 tion a vaquero, or herdsman. He can readily drive herds through the 

 forest paths among the hills, and as readily find any animals that stray 

 from the herd. He is a keen hunter, and therefore useful in protecting 

 the herd from attacks by wild animals. Such men can be hired for $100 

 to $150 per year. They are docile, faithful, and even affectionate to 

 those who den I justly with them. They are easily fed, for plantains, 

 bananas, yarns, and other food, upon which they usually live, grow in 

 every part of the country. 



CATTLE TAXATION AND EXPORT DUTIES. 



Ownership of stock is indicated by branding, as " out West" in the 

 United States. The various brands are recorded in the districts where 

 the herds are kept, and when there is a sale the brand is duly described 

 in the bill of sale. A tax of $2 per head is levied by the Government on 

 each sale of cattle, and a municipal tax of 50 cents per head upon 

 slaughtering. A duty of $2 per head is imposed upon bulls and steers 

 exported and of $10 upon each cow exported. As cows are worth only 

 about $18 whan exported, it will be seen that the export duty of $1G 

 practically prohibits the exportation of cows from this Republic. Slaugh- 

 tering heifers or cows capable of breeding is prohibited by law. So it 

 is evident that the Government of Honduras by these wise regulations 

 is fostering the interests of cattle-growers as well as of the country gen- 

 erally, for the restrictions upon the exportation and the slaughter of 

 cows are causing a rapid increase of the cattle in the country. 



CATTLE INCREASE IN HONDURAS. 



From the most trustworthy information obtainable, the increase, the 

 expense, and the income of herds of cattlo in Honduras are fairly rep- 

 resented by the following table, furnished by Mr. E. W. Perry, an intel- 



