THE CUBA REVIEW. 



47 



saddle mule is highly prized here and there is a splendid opportunity to raise them 

 from the native saddle gaited mares. 



Near the cities where it is possible to market milk modern American dairying 

 should prove profitable as I have already indicated in a previous article. 



One of the most profitable branches of the livestock industry and one which has 

 received little attention so far is swine. They are prolific, easily raised, mature quick- 

 ly and bring a good price. There are few diseases of pigs and if they are well cared 

 for and in a suitable location where there are plenty of royal palm trees, pasture, 

 and pure water, they should do well. The berries of the royal palm (palmichi), are 

 very rich food and pigs are fond of them. Native Cuban pigs are of the "razor back" 

 type, but the flesh is excellent. As a rule the Cuban countryman allows his pigs to 

 run wild in the woods. Every few days he takes a small sack of corn over his shoulder 

 and armed with his ever faithful machete he mounts his horse and, accompanied by 

 two or three native dogs, sets out to look after his pigs. The dogs range through the 

 woods and when they find a band of pigs, begin to bark. The pigs cluster together for 

 defense. When the owner hears his dogs he rides to the place, often cutting his way 

 through the thick tropical undergrowth, calls off his dogs, scatters a little corn about 

 for the pigs and then continues his search. The Cubans are great admirers of the 

 fine American breeds of swine, and breeding berkshire, poland chinas, duroc jerseys 

 or tamworths should prove profitable here. White hogs do not do well in tropical 

 countries, as the sun makes their backs sore. 



Another profitable industry, if properly carried on, is poultry raising. This has 

 already been written upon several times in this magazine. Fresh eggs are worth from 

 4 to S cents apiece in Havana the year around and chickens from 60 cents to a dollar. 



There are a number of diseases and parasitic pests of poultry, but with proper care 

 they will pay well. To those who contemplate going into poultry I would advise to 

 begin in a modest way and give them plenty of range and some animal food. As a 

 rule the Mediterranean breeds such as the brown leghorns or black minorcas do better 

 in Cuba than the heavier American or Asiatics. 



A CUBAN 

 MODEL 

 COW 

 STABLE. 





