The Yale expositor., 1911-10-05

retain it for a long time. Guinea grass grows TO
seven feet and The objection to it is that
the cattle are apt to eat only about half the leaf
from the top, leaving the remainder in a 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
er. Guinea and para must be planted. They can
not be 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 and
does not grow to as great height. 1t stools like
the latter, but not with much waste. Cattle
must be put to savoya in good season. for they will
not touch it in flower
With these fodder plants the cattle raisers OF
Chirqui obtain good results the average steer
yielding 400 pounds of meat but there is no doubt
that fattening might be contrived 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
deep-rootng habit of the plant. At least two crops
of alfalfa could be secured during the rains and
with irrigation a third in the dry season.
With view to the Introduction of alfalfa to
Panama sent, about two years ago, several pack
ages of selected seed to Chirqui and the canal
zone but there is every reason to believe that 1t
did not receive proper treatment and conclusive
deduction can be drawn from the experiment.
1t would that resort should be made to
other forage crops than the grasses. If the land
designed for potreros, or certain portions or It,
were plOWeu over ana SOWn IN COWpeaS, velvet
beans, and other leguminous plants, better results
would doubtless be secured especially If this food
should be balanced with proper quantity OF
starchy matter, such cassava. Such a regimen
would produce heavier grade OF stock in short
er time than is possible under the present method
of fattening
The by-products of the reduction of sugar
and cocoanuts, bagasse and press cake, respective
ly excellent fatteners, and under certain cir
cumstances should be plentfuy available.
&c for m m in ho
breed of Chriquian cattle. Blooded stock has been
imported at great expense by few ranch owners,
and many experiments in crossing have been made
1t cannot be said, however, that satisfactory de-
csion has been reached to 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-
ton 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 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 1t to the declared purpose
would suffice to insure title. To illustrate If an
entire tract of 1000 were fenced 1000 acres
turned into potrero, and 1000 acres cleared for
corras, home pasture, buildings and other pur-
poses, the authorities would deem the intent OF the
law to have been amply complied with.
II may be well to warn intending settlers against
taking up land at distance from existing centers
of habitation or development The man who should
do will entail upon himself the burden OF
structng 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-David railroad line, but the best
lands are In the "Divala country" to the west OF
David.