A LONGITUDINAL JOURNEY THROUGH CHILE 



225 



Photograph by Richard B. Hoit 



NITRATE FIELD ENGINEERS ON A TOUR OE INSPECTION 



These fields of northern Chile stretch for several hundred miles along the pampas' western 

 rim. Operated for the most part by Chilean and British capital, 129 of these nitrate estab- 

 lishments, or oficinas, as they are known locally, are scattered over the pampa back of Pisagua, 

 Iquique, and Antofagasta. The engineers of one of these establishments are making their 

 rounds in a mule-drawn car furnished with a brake and two good seats, but no springs. 



© Publishers' Photo Service 



A DESERT TRAIN WITH IRON WHEELS SUPPLANTING RUBBER TIRES 



The Chilean longitudinal railroad does not extend north of Pisagua, but many of the 

 nitrate establishments have their local railways. The American automobile is here supplanting 

 the old mule-team. 



