602 CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



likely, since it is probable that few if any female cattle were represented 

 by the figures above quoted, because the export duties imposed upon 

 cows were so heavy as to be prohibitory. 



CATTLE CENSUS OF HONDURAS. 



Assuming that the average annual supply of beeves in this country 

 equals the number exported in 1882-'83, the supply would now be 

 27,684 greater than it was at the close of the month of July, 1883. 



No official data later than the statistics for the year 1881-'82 are at 

 hand showing the number of cattle in Honduras. At the time named 

 there were reported 168,750 cows having young calves by them ; 191,283 

 cows not suckling their young ; 44,629 heifers, and 139,018 calves. These 

 figures show that there were at that time 404,662 cows nearly or quite 

 all capable of bearing young. If it be estimated that the average an- 

 nual increase of females that have since 1882 come into bearing has 

 equaled 40 per cent, of the supply of cows on hand at that date, there 

 would now be nearly or quite 600,000 cows in bearing in this .Republic. 

 The highest official authorities in Honduras confidently assert that 

 the above statistics represent at most no more than one-half of the 

 cattle production of the Kepublic. It is but reasonable to conclude 

 that if their opinion is well founded the country can now produce 400,000 

 beeves per year. On the other hand, if the statistics are nearly correct, 

 then it is safe to assume that the average yearly production of bulls is 

 more than 240,000. 



MATURITY OF HONDURAS CATTLE. 



Cattle here reach maturity at a late age. As a rule heifers are three 

 years old before they produce their first calves ; and bulls go until this 

 age before castration, and are four, five, or six years old before they are 

 slaughtered for beef. It might be reasonably supposed that beef from 

 animals so treated is tough and stringy and of poor flavor. 



BUTCHERING AND COOKING. 



It is not likely that there is in all Honduras a butcher's block, or 

 saw, or cleaver. A slice of steak or roast of neat shape is rarely, if 

 ever, seen. The meat is haggled from the bones in shapeless pieces, 

 and these, within three or four hours after the death of the bullock, are 

 cooking in the earthen pottery, which here supplies the place of iron 

 cooking utensils. 



THE OUTLOOK FOR CATTLE-RAISING IN HONDURAS. 



That Honduras offers many and great natural advantages to cattle- 

 men cannot be doubted. If a home market to absorb the surplus beeves 

 should be created, as by the establishment on the coast of a canning 

 factory, this country would equal, if in truth it would not far surpass, 

 any part of the United States as a cattle-growing region. Here no epi- 

 zooty or other disease of a serious nature has ever existed ; no storms, 

 or snows, or hard winters ; but spring, alternating with summer, and 

 both ever redolent of healthful perfumery and balmy breezes, which 

 play over broad prairies, covered by succulent grasses, and watered by 

 crystal streams and refreshing showers. 



D. W. HERRING, 



Consul. 

 UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 



Tegucigalpa, March 24, 1886. 



