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THE CUBA REVIEW 



By Dr. N. S. Mayo. 



Cliief of the Department of Animal Industrj', Cuban Agricultural Station. 



IT seems strange that this magnificent island lying so close to the United States of 

 America is so little known and appreciated. To give a faint idea of the possi- 

 bilities of Cuba it should be compared with its sister island, Jamaica. Jamaica is 

 a mountainous island with comparatively little tillable land, yet this small 

 island, approximately one-seventh the size of Cuba, supports a population about one- 

 half that of Cuba. 



I can imagine no plcasanter voyage than to leave New York in mid-winter with 

 its snow and cold, and in two and one-half days from Chicago by the most luxurious of 

 trains and a magnificent steamer, be landed in this beautiful tropical island where it is 

 always summer and where the roses are always blooming; away from the strenuous life 

 to this easy going land of "manana," the land of to-morrow. To be sure this is a foreign 

 country, foreign in language, customs and architecture. A bit of old Spain in the tropics 

 with its strange but interesting flora. Surely when this old island, that was settled more 

 than a hundred years before the Pilgrim Fathers set their feet upon Plymouth Rock, 

 is better known it will become the Mecca for these Americans who desire to escape 

 the rigors of the northern winters especially when they find how easily and cheaply 

 the trip can be made. 



It is also probable that with the influx of Americans much that is quaint and 

 strange will disappear before the progress that is sure to come. 



To an American farmer that first visits central or eastern Cuba one of the 

 most impressive sights is the fine pastures, and to one who understand the handling 

 of livestock, these appeal strongly. Cattle raising in these regions has always been 

 an important and profitable industry and there is no reason why it should not con- 

 tinue to be. 



Horses are also high priced in Cuba. The native horses are rather small but 

 very hardy and excellent saddle horses. They possess the natural saddle gait and 

 will take a running walk and cover five miles per hour regularly and if pushed faster 

 they have a rapid "single foot" that is a delight to a good horseman. There 

 is the foundation of a fine race of saddle horses in Cuba. These horses are kind and 

 intelligent. One can ride up to almost any variety of gate, open it, and pass through 

 and close it with ease and without dismounting. 



The mule industry is very promising for Cuba. The demand for mules is in- 

 creasing and will continue to do so as mules to a considerable extent will replace oxen 

 that are too slow to be profitable for many kinds of work. At present practically 

 all the mules are imported but they should be raised here extensively. A large jack 

 crossed with native mares should give excellent mules for the country. A gaited 



