28 THECUBAREVIEW 



GOAT RAISING VERY PROFITABLE 



DEMAND FOR SKINS CONSTANTLY INCREASING, WITH SUPPLIES ALMOST 

 STATIONARY — A GOOD BUSINESS FOR CUBA 



The many uses of leather have made the demand for raw hides very great, and the 

 production therefore must largely increase. It is in the lighter skins, such as calf, 

 deer, sheep and goat, that a pronounced shortage is causing anxiety to the leather manu- 

 facturers of the United States. 



The number of goatskins produced in the United States is so small as to scarcely merit 

 consideration, and the country's main sources of supply are India, China, Mexico and 

 Russia. Year by year the demand is more urgent, but tlie supply, if not stationary, in- 

 creases very slowly. The animal thrives everywhere and can be raised at a good profit 

 over a wider range of territory than that on which cattle may be successfully raised. 



In Mexico a most profitable industry is carried on, the goats thriving in many sec- 

 tions on dry lands, unsuitable for cultivation, which grow brush enough to support large 

 flocks, but will not produce corn, cane or grass, unless water is supplied for irrigation. 

 It is recognized, however, that even good, arable lands can be profitably given over to the 

 raising of goats. Low, sandy plains near the coast are further suitable lands, as there is 

 usually found an abundant supply of coarse grass suitable for forage. On barren plains 

 the growth of the animal is stunted, while plenty of food and a moist climate insures a 

 rapid maturity. In hot countries goat's flesh is of better quality, and in Mexico it finds 

 a ready sale at $1.00 to $1..50 per carcass. At two years a fat goat will yield 6 to 10 

 pounds of tallow worth from 75 cents to $l..'i0, and this finds ready purchasers in manu- 

 facturers of candles and soap. The most valuable part is of course the skin, worth $1.25 

 to $1.50, and the trend of prices is upward. There are buyers wherever skins are to be 

 had, and breeders need not seek for a market. , ^ 



Dealers pay better prices for pure white skins, not that they are any better, Cut because 

 of preference. After the white comes the reds or browns, and then the black, spotted or 

 grizzled skins. It is very easy, however, in breeding to secure a maximum number of 

 white skins. Goats increase quickly, and in three or four years large herds can be 

 grown from a very small number. 



The total importations of goatskins into the United States during the year ended 

 June 30, 1909, amounted to 104,048,244 pounds, valued at $26,023,914. — From a report by 

 i'. S. Consul ff. IV. Canada. I'cra Cruz. 



Guines's Produce <>f peppers, the same quantity of eggplant 



Figures of the district's production of ^"^1 I'^-O^' crates of onions. In addition 



vegetables have recentiv been sent to the ^^e home market received 2,000 qumtals of 



secretarv of agriculture from Guines in onions ?nd 4.-),000 bags of potatoes. The 



Havana Province. For exportation there total value of the year's products was es- 



were 25,00u crates of tomatoes, 2.000 crates timatcd at over $.360,000. 



rs'i.AND''oF''2uBA'"SI THE LIVERPOOL & LONDON & GLOBE INSURANCE CO. 



This Company will issue Binders on risks in the Island of Cuba at their New York Office 



45 WILLIAM STREET 



Telephone, 3097 John Fire and Boiler Explosiotl 



AGRICULTURAL LIBRARY 



Books on Cane, Tobacco, Coffee, Cacao, Citrus and Other Tropical Fruits 



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Address: GERMAN KALI WORKS, Empedrado 30, P. O. Box 1007, Havana 



