The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-07-13

VIEW OF PHHSANDU, o.
URUGUAY is small and wealthy
and If the word ''intensive''
may be applied to it's pastoral
activity as it is in some of the
worlds thickly settled aericultura1
countries like Japan or Denmark tho
oiusuayan republic is not disappoint-
A"e' 1hueed, as the stranger travels
over the undUating plains the sight of
SUCH vast numbers of live stock in
every direction is really astonishing.
writes William A. Reid in the Bulletin
.! the Pan-AmcTican Union. Within
the bounds Of the country, an area
shsntly larger than the five New Eng
iahu states of North America, the peo-
PIE nave raised and gathered some
tnlng like 100000 domestic animals.
Inc products derived from this vast
nerd, together with the growing agri-
cultural development enabled the conn.
Try TO send to other lands last wear
more than $76OOO,OO0 worth of food
and clothing materials.
The per capita distribution of money
III uruguay is given at about S25. or
twice that of Roumania, twice that Of
Greece, more than three times that Of
Russia, five times that Of japan. or
ABOUT the same as that of Belgium he
1ore the present troubles.
| Uruguay being essentially q land Of
stock raising, has allowed agricultural
possibilities to suffer until within re-
cent years, and probably no factor in
the latters development is accomplish
ing better results for the country than
the governments agricultural farm. La
h'stanzuela, located 40 miles north
| west OF Montevideo in the Department
OF COlOnia. This farm contains over 1.
OOO acres and the experiments con-
Quoted there include trials of all crops
that seem suited to the soil and climate
Of Uruguay.
The agricultural influence and train.
ing OF Uruguay's young men are of
course more particularly noted when
one visits the rural districts. One d.
vision of the agricultural farm con-
ducts experiments In agronomic
science; and the growing of seeds for
sale or otherwise is gradually placing
new varieties at the service of the
farmer. For instance, the distribution
OF 10000 bushels Of seed wheat In 1915
to 1900 planters on easy credit terms
Is showing pleasing returns in agricul-
tural production. The wheat dis
tributed was of improved varieties and
was thoroughly cleaned by machinery
before being placed in the hands of the |
farmers. In addition to seed wheat the
government distributed nearly 1000 |
bushels Of other selected seeds.
Fruits and Sheep.
In northwestern Uruguay, in the
provinces Of Paysandu, Salto, Artigas,
ETC., / was surprised to see vast areas
covered with growing fruits. More
than 1900 acres, I was informed, are
under viticulture. In a single year
there were gathered $4,000 tons Of
grapes. Orange groves also cover thou
sands Of acres and the product is rap
idly growing in favor throughout the
country.
The sheep that one meets in travel
ing across Uruguay are amazing in
number. Often the hills within a radius
of miles are covered with grazing
herds-they seem to fill every hill and
valley. In fact the sheep statistics
show that there are 100000 within
the bounds Of the country, or nearly ~
sheep and lambs for every inhabitant.
In 1915 the value of wool from this
vast flock brought $2O,OOO,OOO, thereby
approximately $40 for each
person In the republic.
In rural Uruguay the crossroads
store possesses pleasing interest for
the foreign traveller. The usual build
ing IS modified type of the wall and
patio structure, the whole of course
covering much more ground than the
average city house. A central opening
8 large enough to admit horses and
wagon and the vehicle can easily be |
urned around in the patios of some Of
hese rural stores; the materials of
Which the buildings are constructed
ire often stone and stucco, and the ,
moeth outside is coated with a cheap ;
blue or other paint of :
pronounced color. A few, trees, hitch /,
ng posts, score of cowboys, horses ;
nd tented wagon or two are usually !.
q evidence. To give animation to the 4
Gene there are numerous gauchos, or 5
owboys, sitting in groups or walking =.
bout the little settlement. These splen- =
Id horsemen Of the plains when
1ounted are usually on a gallop and
hey cover miles without apparently
xhausting their steeds.
The dress of the Uruguayan cowboy ca