Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1911-12-20

retain It for a long time Guinea grass grows 10
seven feet and The objection to II is that
the cattle are apt to eat only about halt the leu
from the top leaving the remainder In stool
which has to be cleared at the end OF the season.
On the other hand 1t has the advantage over para
of retaining greater vitality during the dry wealth
err Guinea and para must be planted. they can
not be sown with effect, for while they readily dis
seminate themselves the seeds will terminate only
when gathered at perfect maturity.
Savoya is more spreading than guinea grass ana
does not grow to great a height II stools IKE
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
ChiriQui obtain good results. the average steer
yielding 400 pounds OF meat, but there is no doubt
that fattening might be contrtved on more enecuvs
and economical lines.
Alfalfa should grow vigorously in many parts OF
the province, where the loose sandy character OF
the soil ia admirably calculated to promote the
deep-rootng 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 | sent, about two years ago, several pack
ages Of selected seed to Chiriqui and the canal
zone but there is every reason to believe that 1t
did not receive proper treatment and no conclusive
deduction can be drawn from the experiment
II would seem that resort should be made to
other forage crops than the grasses. If the land
were plowed over and sown in cowpeas, velvet
beans and other leguminous plants, better results
would doubtless be secured, especially II tnls ioou
should be balanced with a proper quantity OF
starchy matter such as cassava. Such regimen
would produce heavier grade OF stock In snort
or time than is possible under the present method
OF fattenng.
The by-products Of the reduction OF sugar cane
and cocoanuts bagasse and press CAKE respective
ly are excellent fatteners and under certain cir
cumstances should be plentifully available
There is room for much Improvement In the
breed of Chiriquian cattle. Blooded stock has been
imported at great expense by few ranch owners.
and many experiments in crossing have been made
II cannot be said however that a satisfactory de-
csion has been reached as to the strain best adapI
ed to the climate and conditions OF the country.
Although the purchaser OF land for stock raising
is required to have threefourths OF 1t In cutiva'
ton within four years, the same as with land for
crop purposes yet assurances are 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 II to the declared purpose
would suffice to insure title To illustrate, II an
ontire tract Of 1000 acres were fenced 1000 acres
turaed into potrero and 1000 acres cleared Tor
oorrals home pasture buildings and other pur>
poses the authorities would deem the intent OF inc
law to have been amply complied with.
II NAV be well to warn intending settlers against
taking up land at distance from existing centers
of habitation or development. The man VINO snouo
do 40 will entail upon himself the burden OF CON
s,r,ct,nv road at considerable expense, not ia
mention a number OF more or less serious neon
veniences
There is public land available all along the pro
posed Panama-David railroad line, but the pes'
lands are In the "Divala country." TO the west O
David