The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1913-04-11

dcsceA nded the herds and flocks of TO-DAY, with
no mixture of new blood until toward the end
OF the NINETEENTH century. The horses and cattle
are of az degenerate type small ungainy and
used to Neglect and hard usage The horse is
chiefly used for saddle purposes and is not reared
in large numbers. The mule and burro, is more
generally used in every part Of the country, be-
ing harder, more intelligent and better adapted
for service as a draft and pack animal. The
transport of merchandise and produce was Who'll
" by means of pack animals before the advent
OF railways and is still the common means OF
transport away from the railway lines For
this purpose the sure-iooted burro is invaluable.
In some districts however, oxen and OK carts
are employed, especially in the southern states
and always in the open, level country. The
varying climatic conditions OF Mexico have pro-
duced breeds of cattle that have not only de-
parted from the original Spanish type, but like
wise present strikingy different characteristics
among themselves. Those OF the northern pla-
teau small, hardy and long-lived, being bred
on extensive ranges in cooler atmosphere and
accustomed to long journeys in search of water
and pasture. In the south they are larger and
better nourshed, owing to the permanent char
acter of the pasturage but are less vigorous,
because Of the heat and insect plaques In Yu-
catan the open plains, rich pasture and compare
tive freedom from moist heat insects and YAM
pre bats, have been particularly favorable to
cattle raising and the animals are generally rated
among the best in MEXICO, Notwithstanding the
frequency of long, destructive drouths cattle
raising is a preferred industry among the land
owners of the northern states and especially near
the American frontier. Almost total losses are
frequently experienced, but the profits of a fav-
orable season are so great that losses seldom
deter ranchers from trying again. In the sierra
regions of western chihuahua and Durango MI
evo Leon, Coahuila Aguas Caentes, San Luis
Potosi and the plateau states farther south the
rainfall is more abundant and the conditions are
more favorable. The largest herds are 10 be
found in Chihuahua and Durango Above 1000
feet the wild pasturagc is short, tender and re-
produces itself annually It is exceptionally nu-
tritious but it disappears altogether in the dry
season because of its short roots. The lowand
pasture, from 1000 to 5000 feet, is composed Of
more vigorous grasses, with an underground OF
an exceedingly succucnt character. The stock
raiser on the border pastures his herds on the
uplands during the rainy season and on the lower
pastures during the remainder OF the year.
Next in importance is the breeding OF sheep,
which is largely confined to the cooler sierra
districts. They are commonly OF the Spanish
Merino breed and suffer in many localities on
account of insufficient pasturage.
Some attention is given to the breeding OF
goats because OF the local demand for their
milk, meat and skins, but the industry is APP
parently stationary. The raising of swine, how
ever, is increasing. In the last decade of the
livestock industries was estimated by Bancroft
10 exceed S7oo,oooooo but an official return OF
Tune 40. 1902, gave an aggregate valuation OF
only SI2o42315S (MeNcan). According to tins
report, which is not strictly trustworthy, there
were in the republic S,I42457 cattle, S59.217 hor-
ses, 334,435 mules 2S7Q0I asses, $4,000 sheep
42o6.oII goats and 6IoG39 swine The greater
part is consumed in the country but there is
considerable export of cattle TO the United States.
Cuba and Central America, and OF hides and
skins to the United States and Europe A few
mules are sent to Central America but the home
demand usually exceeds the supply.
There are no fisheries OF Importance except
the pearl fisheries on the eastern coast OF Lower
California and the tortoise fisheries on the coasts
of Campeche. Yucatan and some OF the states
facing fiie Pacific The pearl fisheries have been
worked since the arrival Of the Spanlards, ana
Tyere once very productive, Notwithstanding the
primitive methods employed
The best known and most productive OF the
industries of Mexico is that Of mining II was
the chief object OF Spanish explanation
and was the principal occupation OF tu-
ronean residents and capitalists during three
centuries of Spanish rule. Agriculture and pas
toral industries gradually gained foothods here
and there. and in time became important but
mining continued far in advance until near the
end Of the Nineteenth century Mines OF some
dissertation arc to be found IN twenty-siN OF inc
thirvone states and territories, and OF these the
ryre,test majority Weld silver. The most ceIe-
brated iron deposit is that of the Oerro del NleI-
cado. in the outskirt OF the city oil Durahgo 49,,
mountain 64o feet in height, LOO ieet III red1''l
and A.Soo feet in length. reputed TO DC Amos,
solid mass of iron. Large masses OF the metal
-, 80 q, e,ist in tho serras Of Lower Oali-
Fornia The principal coal fields that nave Deen
s..i..1 80. =, tho vicinity of Sabinas, Ooahuia'