The Hope pioneer., 1917-05-17
RUGUAY is small and wealthy ;
and If the word Intensive"

7 URUGUAY is small and wealthy f; |
and If the word Intensive"
may be applied to its pastoral
activity as it is in some of the
worlds thickly settled agricultural
countries like Japan or Denmark, the
Uruguayan republic is not disappoint-
Ing. Indeed, as the stranger travels
over the undulating plains the sight of
such vast numbers of live stock in
every direction is really astonishing,
writes William A. Reid in the Bulletin
of the Pan-American Union. Within
the bounds of the country, an area
slightly larger than the five New Eng
land states of North America, the peo-
pie have raised and gathered some
thing like 35,OOO,OOO domestic animals
The products derived from this vast
herd, together with the growing agri-
cultural development enabled the coun-
try to send to other lands last year
more than $76,OOO,OOO worth Of food
and clothing materials.
The per capita distribution of money
in Uruguay is given Mt about $25, 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 be-
fore the present troubles.
Uruguay being essentially land Of
stock raising, has allowed agricultural
possibilities to suffer until within re-
cent years, and probably no factor in
the lattcr's development is accomplish
ing better results for the country than
the governments agricultural farm, La
Estanzuela, located 140 miles north
west of MOntevideO in the Department
of Colonia. This farm contains over L.
900 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 di-
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 ut 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., 1 was surprised to see vast areas
covered with growing fruits. More
than 1000 acres, was informed, are
under viticulture. In a single year
there We're gathered 25,O0O 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 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 27000,00O within
the bounds of the country, or nearly II
sheep and lambs for every inhabitant.
In 1915 the value of wool from this
vast flock brought $20,000,00O, thereby
returning 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 a modified type Of the wall and
patio structure, the whole of course
covering much more ground than the
average city house. A central opening
IS large enough to admit horses and
wagon and the vehicle can easily be
turned around in the patios Of some of
these rural stores; the materials OF
which the buildings are constructed
are often stone and stucco, and the
smooth outside is coated with cheap
bright-colored blue or other paint of
pronounced color. A few trees, hitch
Ing posts, q score Of cowboys, horses
and tented wagon or two are usually
in evidence. To give animation to the
scene there are numerous gauchos, or
cowboys, sitting in groups or walking
about the little settlement. These splen-
did horsemen of the plains when
mounted are usually on gallop and
they cover miles without apparently
exhausting their steeds.
The dress Of the Uruguayan cowboy