Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-18

vested every year. for nearly a century withour renewal, although in Cuba the cane yields cnly from five to ten crops, and in many susar-producing g year. The yield of. each hectare is also very high, being 800 to 1000 quin- talS, in comparison with 500 to 800 in Cuba and 300 to $50 in Hawaii; and with irrigation, which is made very easy by the nature of the land. the yield would be still higher. In spite of this vastly greater potential value, the lands of the Cauea valley may be bought for one-tenth the price of su = gar lands in Cuba. Tn this belt, to- bacco also is raised in large quanti- ties, and was exported from the coun- try in 1915 to a value of a third of a fruits are important products, and the land is admirably suited to these crops.
 Tn the higher elevations are the cof- fee plantations. which produce more than half the value Of Colombia's eX- ports and play a most important part in the commerce of the republic. They are planted on the steep mountain slopes. between 1900 and 1000 meters elevation. At present transporta ton difficulties are tremendous. and what magnitude would be attained by the industry under the stimulus of ade- quate facilities it would not be possi- ble to estimate. As it is, Colombia
  as 8 coffee producing country, With an export crop valued at s16.250,ooo.
 Grain of all kinds, corn, beans and rice produce splendid returns, and wheat forms an especially important crop. The climate is even, and no frosts need be feared, and the soil Is so fertile that irrigation is unneces- sary. although 1t could be carried out at small cost on account of the in nunerab bIe streams which ow down the mountain slopes.
 Great stretches of rolling valleys could be made to support nunlberless cattle, and this industry, which is of but small proportions could be made to supply meat and hides to all parts of the world. The grass is luxuriant, snd the herds increase rapidly, but at present they supply only local de- rnand, primarily on account of the lack of facilities for transportation. Slaughter houses and high grade stock. are also needed, but when good freight rates are offeredd these wants will quickly be supplied.
 At a higher elevation, say from 250o to 5000 meters. exists a very large area of land which is now unproductive, solitary and treeleS5. Like the lands of Patagonia, 1t is dry and covered with grass, and would afford pastur- age to vast herds of sheep. It is only since 1878 that there have been sheep in Pata gonia, and previous to that time it was thought that no produc-
 
 1915 it's exports of wool and meat amounted to about s50,00o.00o. Just such an opportunity exists in the high lands of Colombia today.
 Thus far we have touched only the more important agricultural resources; if we turn to the mineral world we find the same remarkable opportuni- ties. It is doubtful if In any part of the world so many mineral products are to be found in so restricted tex- ritory The ores must be transported from the mines by mule back, so there has been no opportunity for. great de- veloprnent as yet, but the minerals are there, and before long they will form an important factor in trade.
 The mineral wealth of what is now called Colombia, was described to Co., lun1bus by the Indians of the West In- dies. who informed him that the gold they possessed in abundance was ob- tained from the natives who inhabited the firm coasts of that region. The immense treasures which Pizarro and Alma gro found in Peru originated, for the most part. in the mines of Bar bacoas between Tumaco and Paste, on the Pacific coast, and in those in Novita in the Choco. where the natives used to buy for gold the salt which is lacking in that region. but which is plentiful in Peru. This commerce in salt still exists. and is of considerable local importance.
 The abundance of gold in Bar