Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1910-07-28

The broad plains of Mexico and Central
America, of Venezuela and Colombia, the ANA
zon region of Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Ecua-
dor rival, If they do not excel the famed PAM
mas of Argentine and Uruguay as cheap meat
producing districts.
In the country of the Oronoco alone, Vene-
Euela and eastern Colombia, there is an area
of territory more than equal to France, Ger
many, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark,
or ten times the size of the state of New YORK,
which has its superior as a cattle country IN
no part of the world, If indeed it has anywhere
Its equal.
Mexico offers many advantages to the stock
raiser. The conditions there are those with
which stockmen from the United States are
more or less familiar, which last fact, IN part
accounts for the large Investments OF Amerl-
can capital made in this industry within the
last few years in Mexico. Cattlemen own the
land in large tracts of from 100000 to l,OOO,0OO
acres, acquired from the government by grant
and at a very low figure. This prevents the
shutting off from water, which has done SO
much to destroy the range industry in the
United States. The winters are mild and there
Is no danger of loss from blizzards-in fact,
the grazing is good all the year round.
The character of the ranges on the Pacific
EnnHt Sl00 Ill JdlloIOp NAlSLOhSShJ
southern Oaxaca and Topic are similar in
character to the northern ranges but not so
we'll watered, and the grass Is %scantier.
On the gulf side there are entirely differ
ont conditions. On the slope OF the eastern
Cordileras in the states of San Luis Potosl'
'Tamaulipas and northern Vera Cruz is tne re-
sion known Is the Huasteca Potosina, the
.oountrv Of the Tamesi, Panuco, Temporal and
1T .4-ar1 Tbic Ia on almost Ideal
grass country. 1t is a succession OF valleys
.sanarated by grass-covered terraces or hills
increasing in height from the low plains near
Abe coast to the borders Of the central plateau
eaoo feet. This slope receives the moist
hreazes from the Gulf of Mexico in the form
nj rain during the summer months and dew
an winter. and is always free from frost,
drougbt and excessive heat. The natural pas
+urage Of this country is as fine as any In the
world. except on the Oronoco and in the up
per Amazon country. Cattle in good condition
can be sent to market at a cost OF less than
$40 gold a head. On the northern and west
ern ranges lean cattle cost to produce from
So to IS a head and can be fattened for mar
ket to cost in all about $40 a head.
The latest Mexican statistics show about
b.25O.000 beef cattle in the whole country, Of
an estimated value of about $8 gold per head
Chihuahua and Vera Cruz lead with about
100000 head for each state. AS compared
with Argentina with its 3O,0OO,OOO beef cattle
1t can be seen that Mexico is but at the begin
ming Of the industry; in fact, as present thu
country produces but little meat above its owl
needs, yet it could. on natural pasture alone
carry twice the number of cattle now grazint
in Argentina, and could easily supply to thu
European markets from Its surplus an amour
of meat twice what the United States ha
even been able to supply from its surplus.
South of Mexico in Central America an,
In parts Of Mexico not above mentioned Their
is yet another cattle country, where the eli
mate is more tropical. On the Pacific side tn
area suitable for cattle Is limited. 1t is sim
lar to the Pacific slope Of Mexico, but tn
country is more Tricky settled, a larger PR
portion Of the land is devoted to agricultur,