The evening times., 1900-01-04
LANDS IN PORTO RICO.



! Herbert NJ Wilson, Of the Geological
I Survey says Of Porto Rico: In many
portions of Porto Rico the lands have been
overcultivated without fertilization Such
lands are now abandoned and have some
what the appearance OF the old fields Of
the Southern States. On the limestone hills
of the southern coast they are covered with
a short grass and resemble the sheep
grazed hills Of New Mexico and western
Kansas These worn -out lands or as they
are called In the British West Indies. 'ru-
mates are found scattered throughout the
country. and furnish one of the most in
teresting problems connected with scien
tifc agriculture in the opportunities they
present for reclamation.
Excellent fertilizers are found well dis
tributed throughout the island. and the
value OF these viii ultimately be ascertain
ed and their use extended. The most
abundant of these is a green sand mari Of
eocene age. found extensively in the north
eastern portion Of the island. between
Lares and San Sebastian, and also in the
neighborhood of Carolina at the north
eastern extremity of the island.
This mari appears 20 be rich in phos-
pilates and is not unlike in general ap
pearaucc Of the msrls of New Jersey. Next
in value as fertilizers are large deposits
Of guano on Mona Island. just off the west
coast. and smaller deposits in caverns on
the west coast and near Ponce. Elsewhere
throughout the island are great beds of
shell and chalk marls and of lime phos-
pilates. The lime marls are abundant ev-
erywhere around the coast and gypsum
IL ;bo Df
"Of domestic animals, cattle are first in
Importance. These are of unusually large
size, being far more powerful and heavier
than any seen in Central or tropic South
America or elsewhere in the West Indies.
and in fact exceed in size the cattle of
our Southern States. They have wide.
spreading horns and in general appearance
they resemble the range stock of Texas and
the uplands of Mexico. Horses are abund
ant. but are so diminutive in size as TO
scarcely deserve any other name than
pony.
.They resemble in general appearance
the ponies of Cuba, but though small they
are exceedingly hardy and are excellent
pack animals.
"Al heavy draft work of the island is
done by oxen which are yoked, not by
the neck, but by the horns, to heavy two
wheeled bullock carts made of mahogany
and similar hard woods.
The roads are few and inferior in quail
ity All produce is taken to the markets
and purchases made there are carried
back to the mountain farms on the backs
of the sturdy little pack horses which
climb with sure foot the steep, wet and
slippery trails. The method of packing
these animals is that commonly practiced
in some portions of South America. Most
burdens are carried, not by means of pack
saddles or of apareJos and lash ropes. but
in wicker basket panniers, which are hung
loosely by sling ropes. In this way they
are loaded with $50 to $50 pounds of coffee
or other burdens and tramp with quick,
short steps over the rugged trails.
In addition TO cattle and horses very
few small mules are bred. The only other
domestic animals are poultry, hogs, and
dogs. The poultry is of inferior breed, be-
ing chiefly raised for the game cocks.
These and the hogs, which are also of
small size and of poor breed, thrive we'll,
but are so few in numbers that fences are
rarely built to restrain them. 1t Is there
fore a common sight to see hogs tethered
by a string tied around one leg and at
tached to a tree or picket and to see
poultry tied in the same manner and for
age much as do milch cows"