Tropical Farming. 129 



the price is often prohibitive. If they are reared in 

 any quantity they can be sold cheaper and at a profit. 

 High lands are best suited as they do not thrive in 

 swampy land ; a quicker return is also obtained. 



While the smaller stock are developing, and returns 

 are being obtained from these several sources, a good 

 breed of cattle can be introduced. It will naturally 

 take a longer time to get an increase from this branch 

 than from the others, but means will be obtained to 

 meet the expenses of the farm, and a profit will re- 

 main. My opinion is that not enough care is taken of 

 cattle in this country. They are left to run wild, and 

 when caught for the market they receive very rough 

 treatment, which often renders the flesh unfit for food. 

 I would recommend that cattle, when they are being 

 prepared for the market, should be driven into pens every 

 evening, fed with good fodder, well cared for and tamed. 

 This treatment might last for about six months, with 

 the result that the meat would rival that of the 

 prime American ox. The demand for such animals 

 would always exist. Again, more care should be taken 

 of the cow and her calf ; she should not be turned adrift 

 immediately that the calf is born, but she should be 

 domesticated, and kept in an open pen for a few weeks 

 to undergo a little training as a milker, and to teach her 

 and the calf to be accustomed to the hand of man. The 

 result would be improvement of the whole herd. 



Very many attempts have been made here to improve 

 the breed of horses, but we cannot approach Jamaica in 

 this respect. I consider that this is from the simple rea- 

 son that our horses are reared on the low swampy lands 

 and are fed on inferior grass. The highlands I have 



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