The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1911-10-05
" O0LlYZ1eYA ~ GZ7aQZI 20

retain it for a long time Guinea grass grows to
seven feet and over The objection to it is that
the cattle are apt to eat only about half the leaf
from the top, leaving the remainder in stool
which has to be cleared at the end of the season
On the other hand it has the advantage over para
of retaining greater vitality during the dry wealth
Guinea and para must be planted. They can
not be with effect, for while they readily dis
seminate themselves the seeds will germnate only
when gathered at perfect maturity.
Savoya is more spreading than guinea grass and
does not grow to great height. 1t stools like
the latter, but not with as much waste. Cattle
must be put to savoya in good season, for they will
not touch 1t in flower.
With these fodder plants the cattle raisers of
Chriqu obtain good results the average steer
yielding 400 pounds of meat. but there is doubt
that fattenng might be contrived on more effective
and economical lines
Alfalfa should grow vigorously in many parts Of
the province, where the loose sandy character Of
the soil is admirably calculated to promote the
deeprooting habit of the plant At least two crops
of alfalfa could be secured during the rains and
with irrigation third in the dry season.
With a view to the introduction of alfalfa to
Panama l sent, about two years ago, several pack.
ages of selected seed to Chiriqui and the canal
zone, but there is every to believe that it
did not receive proper treatment, and no conclusive
deduction be drawn from the experiment.
1t would seem that resort should be made to
other forage crops than the grasses. II the land
designed for potreros or certain portions OF it,
plowed over and sown in cowpeas, velvet
beans and other legumnous plants, better results
would doubtless be secured especially if this food
should be balanced with a proper quantity OF
starchy matter such cassava. Such regimen
would produce heavier grade of stock in a short
er time than is possible under the present method
of fattening
The by-products of the reduction of sugar cane
and cocoanus, bagasse and press cake, respective
JIy md uTdar lin iii
cumstances should be plentifully available.
There is for much Improvement in the
breed of Chriquian cattle. Blooded stock has been
imported at great expense by a few ranch owners,
and many experiments in crossing have been made.
1t cannot be said, however that satisfactory de-
csion has been reached the strain best adapt
ed to the climate and conditions of the country.
Although the purchaser of land for stock raising
is required to have threefourths OF it in cultiva-
tion within four years, the same as with land for
crop purposes, yet assurances given by the
authorities that literal compliance with the law
will by no means be required.
In the case of cattle land any degree of improve
ment that should indicate the intention Of the
holder of the land to put it to the declared purpose
would suffice to insure title. To illustrate, If an
entire tract of 1000 were fenced 1000 acres
turned into potrero chd 1000 acres cleared for
corrals, home pasture, buildings and other pur-
poses the authorities would deem the intent OF the
law to have been amply complied with.
It may be well to intending settlers against
taking up land at distance from existing centers
of habitation or development The man who should
do so will entail upon himself the burden Of con-
structing a road at considerable expense, not to
mention a number of more or less serious incon.
veniences.
There is public land available all along the pro-
posed Panama-Davld railroad line, but the best
lands are in the "Divala country" to the west OF
David