24 CORN 



THE PRINCIPAL CORN GROWING COUNTRIES 

 OTHER THAN THE UNITED STATES 



MEXICO 

 The Awakening In Agriculture In Mexico 



Dr. Pehr Olsson-Seffer was commissioned in 1906 to investigate 

 Mexican Agricultural conditions. In his report (spring of 1908), he 

 recommended the estabhshment of a Department of Agriculture for 

 the nation. The Mexican National Railroad, in the summer of 1908, 

 made plans to put on special corn trains, such as has been done over, 

 the corn belt of the United States. 



A great many ranchers in Chihuahua and Durango have for some 

 time employed improved methods and selected their seed corn. Presi- 

 dent Diaz was always interested in the farmers. A leader in the 

 greater movement is Mr. Zeferino Dominguez, a Mexican owner of 

 large haciendas in the Northeast Mexico. His trips to the United 

 States have resulted in the introduction of better seed. A great many 

 students from the northern states of Mexico have graduated from the 

 Agricultural Colleges of the United States. The greatest good will 

 come with increased facilities for irrigation. 



The Peonage System 



All work of an agricultural nature is done by the peon or native. 

 The landlords own very large tracts of land. Many ranches contain 

 one million acres. Ten thousand acre haciendas are common. These 

 owners furnish each peon family with an adobe house, a yoke of 

 oxen, seed, and such rude agricultural implements as are considered 

 necessary. The peon is charged with one-half the seed, and the rent- 

 mg price of the oxen. Any food bought is charged against him at 

 the store which appears on the larger ranches. At the end of the year 

 settlements are made after the landlord has deducted all advances 

 made to the peon during the season. Farm laborers who are paid 

 'lirectly receive certain daily rations and ten dollars Mexican (five 

 -Millars gold), a total of fifteen dollars Mexican, per yeai. 



