THE CUBA REVIEW 



15 



CATTLE RANCHING IN CUBA 



An interesting letter from Air. Otto W. 

 Fischer, Trinidad, Cuba, describing Cuban 

 methods of cattle raising, is herewith given 

 in full with some characteristic illustra- 

 tions by the writer. 



Cattle ranching in Cuba is carried on 

 almost in the same manner as in the vast 

 plains of ]\Iexico and the western United 

 .States, the only difference being in the 

 amount of land the cattle has to run at 

 large, and in that all the potreros (ranches) 

 being private properties, are fenced in. 



The ranges of Cuba possess such rich 

 natural pasturages, that a large herd of 

 cattle can be maintained in a very limited 

 area of land, contrary to what occurs in 

 the countries above named. 



The monteros or men who look after the 

 cattle, perform the same duties as the 

 vaqueros of Mexico and the cow-boys of 

 the United States, and in the use of the 

 lazo or rope are as familiar as these, al- 

 though not quite as experts in its accom- 

 plishments. 



The Cuban cow-boy is an excellent horse- 

 man, but as a rule he is not a bronco- 

 buster, and will refuse to ride a horse that 

 one of his American colleagues would 

 think little of. 



The Cuban pony resembles the ^Mexican 

 and Texan in all but its gait and temper. 

 Easy-going, mild of disposition, of great 

 endurance and quick of movement, makes 

 him the ideal for long journeys and for 

 cattle-work. 



The saddle generally used by the mon- 

 teros is of Cuban invention and resembles 

 a pack-saddle somewhat. It is called the 

 albarda and is very inferior for stock- 

 work. I believe, however, that the horn- 

 saddle will soon reign supreme, for its su- 

 periority in all respects is being rapidly 

 recognized even b}^ the most refractory. 



The "rope," speaking in cow-boy lan- 

 guage, used by the Cubans, is of various 

 kinds and lengths; those made of raw-hide 

 and of pita (a vegetable fibre) being con- 

 sidered the best. Lengths range from fifty 

 to sixty feet. 



Our cattle is of no special breed, being 

 common range-animals imported from 

 \'enezuela, Colombia, Alexico, the United 

 States and the island of Jamaica. 



Very little has been done so far to im- 

 prove the breed. 



No other country in the world possesses 

 more natural advantages to the cattle-man 

 than Cuba. Owing to its magnificent 

 ranges and exceptionally mild climate, free 

 of frost and extreme temperatures, the 

 breeding of cattle can be effected econom- 

 ically and successfully. 



The guinea and parana grass are the 

 best known, and the cattle develop and 

 fatten rapidly on them. The guinea was 



Cattlr 



Isabel Ranch, Trinidad. 



"imported from Africa. It sometimes at- 

 tains a height of ten to twelve feet, com- 

 pletely covering the cattle feeding on it. 

 This grass does not require so much water 

 as the parana and therefore will stand the 

 dry-season much better. 



The parana grass is also exotic. Its 

 vitality is remarkable when once it has 

 found appropriate ground and favorable 

 conditions for its growth. This grass will 

 fatten more heads of cattle per caballeria 

 (thirty-three and one-third acre) than any 

 other grass known. Some cattlemen assert 

 that a caballeria of parana will fatten and 

 keep throughout the year twenty-five 

 heads of cattle. My opinion is, from care- 

 ful observations, that it is not advisable to 

 exceed fifteen heads per caballeria. 



Besides the above mentioned grasses, we 

 have several other varieties which possess 

 also highly nutritive qualities. Breeding- 

 cattle do exceedingly well on them. 



Jose Trinxet, editor of a weekly publica- 

 tion. El Tiburon, who was expelled from 

 Cuba last February as "a pernicious for- 

 eigner" on account of his attacks against 

 the government, returned to Havana in 

 April under an assumed name. 



The authorities were advised of his com- 

 ing and prevented him from landing. He 

 was returned to the United States on the 

 same ship. 



The project for a bridge across Havana 

 harbor is again under discussion by the De- 

 partment of Public Works. The govern- 

 ment, it is said, favors giving the conces- 

 sion, provided that it does not obstruct 

 harbor navigation. It is also said that the 

 United States does not favor the project. 



Mayari in Oriente Province is now the 

 possessor of an auto fire engine secured 

 from the government at a cost of $8,300. 

 A further appropriation is asked for to sup- 

 ply the firemen with suits. 



Don Antonio Muneras, administrador of 

 the sugar factory "Dos Amigos" at Campe- 

 chuela, committed suicide on February 7th. 



