Charlevoix county herald., 1911-10-28

1enjebrillo, which bears a close resemblance to
the famous blue grass" of Kentucky
The region is abundantly watered. Every few
miles river or creek intersects the forest, but
in the dry season all but the largest Of these
fail. II 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
strips along the coast.
When the development of Chiriqu shall have
fairly set in, irrigation will surely become i'm
portant 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 subtropical and
somewhat like that Of Florida. The tenn
perature is about 70 degrees f., and the extreme
variations do not exceed Is per cent. in either di
rection The heat of the day is usually tempered
by breezes and the night is cool at all times The
dry season extends over the first four months OF
the year and recurs for few weeks in September
and October. During the remaining period there is
almost usIiy rain which seldom extends through
more than three four hours in any "a and Is
preceded and followed by clear weather. Excess
sve humidity is OF rare occurrence. Destructive
storms, hurricanes and tornadoes virtually
unknown.
The climate is distinctly favorable to man and
beast. Few diseases If any, attributable to 1t.
The inhabitants of Chiriqui enjoy exceptionally
good health, and this statement applies to the
natives of Europe and America OF whom there
are a number settled in the province.
In the past 20 years, and perhaps much longer,
epidemic disease has appeared among
animals in the province. Cattle are singularly
ftee from the complaints which commonly af-
fict them elsewhere Pleuropneumona and anth-
rax have never been heard OF. Backleg once
made its appearance, but was readily checked by
vaccination
The land in this portion Of Chiriqui is OF
generally level character, with a gentle, but
stantly prevailing slope toward the ocean. The
lanos may be traversed In any direction by the
lightest vehicles with the ease which would be ex-
perenced in crossing lawn. Cart roads
easily constructed through the forest stretches,
in many cases nothing more being necessary than
10 clear the monte and remove rocks and the
larger stones The existing roads maintain COM
munication 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 not macadamized..
but the natural material OF which they COM
posed is such to pack we'll and erode but lit
tle l have seen extremely heavy downpours OF
rain run of them without mirng. II may be re-
peated that the drainage of the entire section un-
der consideration Is perfect.
In the Divala country all nonsordable streams
are bridged. Telegraph and telephone wires con-
meet all the principal points. Extensive improve
ments being carried out, which will affect the
highway system and other OF intercom-
munication.
The Pacific Mail and National Navigation COM
pany maintain weekly service between Panama
and David, carrying passengers, mail and freight
including live stock, and calling at way ports, on
journey occupying from three 10 six days. The
length of time Is mainly to be accounted for by
the difficulty In navigating the rivers at low tide.
a fast service has lately been introduced with