The Yale expositor., 1911-10-05

1enjebrillo, which bears a close resemblance to
the famous blue grass" of Kentucky.
The region is abundantly watered Every few
miles a river or creek ntersects the forest, but
In the dry season all but the largest of these
Gail. 1t Is where the interval between streams is
unusually great say, seven eight miles, that
the monte gives way to open grassland. The
slope Of the ground and the porosity of the soil
Insure perfect drainage, and there is entire alb
sence OF swamps save for the inevitable manglare
Etrips along the coast.
When the development Of Chiriqui shall have
fairly set in, irrigation will surely become i'm
yortant factor in the agricultural industries Good
reservoir sites are plentiful, and the lay OF the
land is perfectly suitable to the installation OF
simple, inexpensive gravity systems
The climate OF this section is subtropica and
somewhat like that of Florida. The mean tenn
perature is about rs degrees F., and the extreme
variations do not exceed Is per cent. in either d.
rection. The heat of the day is usually tempered
by preezes and the night is cool at all times The
dry season extends over the first four months OF
tbe year, and recurs for few weeks in September
and OctcSer During the remaining period there is
almost u..iy rain which seldom extends through
more than three or four hours In any "a and is
preceded and followed by clear weather. Excess
s2ve humidity is of rare occurrence. Destructive
storms, hurricanes and tonadoes are virtually
unknown.
The climate is distinctly favorable to man and
beast. Few diseases If any, are attributable to It,
The inhabitants of Chriqui enjoy exceptionally
good health, and this statement applies to the
natives of Europe and America of whom there
are number settled in the province.
In the past 20 years, and perhaps much longer.
no epidemic disease has appeared among men or
animals In the province. Cattle singularly
free from the complaints which commonly af
dict them elsewhere. Pleuropneumonia and anth-
rax have never been heard of. Backleg
made its appearance, but readily checked by
vaccination.
The land in this portion of Chirqui is OF
generally level character with gentle, but con-
stantly prevailing slope toward the ocean. The
tlanos may be traversed in any direction by the
highest vehicles with the which would be ex-
perienced in crossing a lawn. Cart roads are
easily constructed through the forest stretches,
in many cases nothing more being necessary than
Co clear the monte and remove rocks and the
larger stones The existing roads maintain COM
municaton between all centers of habitation and
quite equal to the requirements OF any traffic
which they may be called upon to support for
some years to come. They are not macadamized,
but the natural material of which they COM
posed is such to pack well and erode but lit
te. | have seen extremely heavy downpours OF
rain of them without miring. II may be
peated that the drainage of the entire section
der consideration is perfect
In the Divala country all nonlordable streams
arc bridged. Telegraph and telephone wires
meet all the principal points Extensive improve
ments being carried out. which will affect the
highway system and other means of intercom-
muncation.
The Pacific Mail and National Navigation COM
pany maintain weekly service between Panama
and David carrying passengers mail and freight.
lnciuding live stock. and calling at way ports,
"A tourney occupying from three % six days. The
length of time Is mainly to he accounted for by
the difficulty In navigating the rivers at low tide.
A fast service has lately been introduced. with a