Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-01-09


duct of his neighbor he would drag
him into the courts. About twenty
years ago the Austrians decided TO
put an end to this litigation. and
law was enacted limiting the number
OF lawyers to sixteen for the entire
country. No one can be admitted to
practice unless there Is vacancy.
The tenure OF land was one Of the
most difficult questions to deal with,
because. under Turkish rule, the
larger part of the cultivated area be-
longed to the government or the &c
clesiastlcs, who were oppressive and
| extortionate In their treatment of
tenants. Gradually these conditions
have been reformed. and although
agriculture Is stil In a low state OF
development. the farmers are secure
In the possession OF their lands and
are thus encouraged to improve 1t
and cultivate IL with care. Eighty
eight per cent of the population are
engaged in farming and raising cat
tie. sheep and swine. Tobacco is n
very important crop. and the govern
ment monopoly. II may be raised
by any farmer under the supervision
OF the revenue inspectors, who not on
ly measure the acreage planted. but
even count the number OF plants in
order that sales to private individuals
may be detected. A considerable
proportion of the crop is exported
nearly 1000 tons last year-but the
greater part Is manufactured into
cigarettes in government factories.
which not only bring in a handsome
revenue. but furnish employment for
nearly four thousand women and
girls.
The cattle industry Is next in i'm
portance. there being an average of
one steer. one goat. one hog and three
sheep per capita of the population.
The hides are tanned at home and
shipped to Great Britain. France and
Austria. They are of the highest
grade and bring the best prices.
The next important industry is dried
prunes. the exports last year amount
Ing to more than 81 100000.
Beet sugar is now being manufac-
tured by the government. and silk
culture is also being introduced.
The government gives assistance to
the agricultural population In many
Important ways-by the establishment
of schools of instruction. by the in
PRODUCTION of new ideas, by furnish
ing seeds and sample implements
and by other methods. There are
several excellent schools OF agricul-
turc situated at convenient locations,
where the country people may send
their sons to study the practical cul
tivntion of the soil and their daugh'
ters to learn how to make butter
and cheese, cultivate silk worms and
raise poultry and other bi-products
which materially increase the family
income. Experts have been brought
from Italy to instruct the natives
In the cultivation OF silk worms. as
the climate and other conditions ap
pear to be unusually favorably for the
industry
There are at least dozen poultry
farms belonging to the government
where large variety of game birds
and domestic fowls are kept Eggs
of ordinary poultry. ducks. geese and
turkeys are furnished free to farmers
who viii agree to observe the printed
rules for Matching them, and so sue
cessful has his policy been that poul
try is now plenty throughout the en-
tire province. An ordinary chicken
can be bought In the market for Ia
or Is cents and goose or turkey
for a quarter. The turkey Is 50 com
mon that we might properly call II
the national bird.