Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1883-03-27
Stocls-Raising in Mexico.


lows: Complying with the promise
made IN former communication, | to-
day write concerning the raising of
small stock in this country. The same
abundance of natural elements. which
the country offers in many districts for
cattle-growing, exists also in no less
extensive sections for raising small
stock, such as sheep and goats. But
this industry, like that of cattle grow
ing, is in very primitive condition.
and little has been done toward improv-
ing the flocks or developing the rich
products of this important branch.
And yet, in spite of the abandonment
noticeable in almost all the industries
OF the country, this item is a source of
enormous wealth to many families
whose fortunes are constantly increas-
ing by its products.
In the states of Oaxaca and Puebla.
and on many of the immense farms
found on the entire extent of the CEN
tral table-lands up to the northern
frontier there are abundant lands rich
in every element for raising and pastur-
ing thousands of ilocks; and those now
found in these pastures may be re-
garded only as a practical test of what
the natural advantages now are, and
what this industry would be if ener-
getically and intelligently developed
by improving the stock, introducing
those bearing finer woods, etc In
OaXaca and Puebla there are farms
whose annual products of this kind are
very large, though confined almost
entirely to the export of skins to Eu-
rope, after supplying local demands in
these states. The principal form of
this industry on these farms in the
semi-annual or annual killing of thou
sands of kids, whose flesh is fried to
extract the fat. The meat thus fried
is then sold largely, as it can be kept
for long time, and is in large demand
in those districts because of its excel
lence and flavor The skins are gener-
ally exported to England and France,
from whom we again purchase them at
very enhanced prices under the form
of dressed leather. Yet this export.
with the above named production of
meat and fat, yields, at one farm of
which | know, an annual return of
from 100000 to SS0,000, without
counting the considerable production
of cheese and other incidental profits.
In the matter of sheep-raising, these
profits are of course much increased
by the frequent wool crops, an article
which throughout the whole country
has so notably advanced in price that
its ruling value in the City of Mexic
is and for some time has been from 81
to Sl2 an arroba twenty-five pounds).
This speaks for itself rs to the large
profits of this industry, while at the
same time we must not forget the large
advance in the value of skins through
out this country. 1t may be expected
that the increase of population in Mex
leo in the not distant future and the
increased consumption of these impor-
tant articles will proportionately main
tain for long time prices so advantage
Gus for those who devote themselves to
this industry.
One OF the great advantages of this
branch is the prOmptncss with which
It's profits are secured and the rapid
increase of the ilocks, which in a short
time come into bearing. | personally
know OF various persons who began
with some two hundred lambs, and
who in period of three years had
flock of more than three thousand
sheep. In the fourth year they ex-
pected that The flock would at least
double itself, as many of the ewes give
two lambs at each bearing. This is
enough to show the almost fabulous
profits to be gained by attending to this
important branch of industry, above all
in the present rapidly-improving condi-
tion of the country; for the growing of
fine wool will make this industry real
treasure.