in the bay. In this vicinity pearls are found, but no pearl fishing is now carried ou, owing, I am told, to the low prices at present obtainable in Europe. All along the Coast I noted many deserted ranchos, the Indians having left owing to the prevalence of malaria, the re- sult of the exceptionally wet season. Almost every raucho we passed, not only along the coast but also in the interior parts, were to be found Indians suffering from fever, and I exhausted my stock of quinine acced- ing to their frequent demands for that specific.
Early in the morning of the 25th we sailed from Cabo de Vela and after five hours sailing reached a settlement of civilisados known as Carrizal, where we breakfasted. We sailed throughout that afternoon and all the night, landing only at 6 in the morning to prepare coffee. Continuing our journey we reached Rio Hacha at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, having occupied twenty- six days in this journey, the latter three being by canoe on the open sea. Of these twenty-six days only one passed without rain, and, fortunately for us this was the day when we were passing the dangerous Cosina country and had to rest ou the roadside awaiting the rising of the moon.
Prospects of Agricultural Development.
The future progress of this peninsula is dependent on the development of such industries as the country favors. Apart from the question of valuable minerals, which is somewhat outside my province, I believe there to be considerable prospects in,
(a) the development of a cattle raising and export industry.
(b) the cultivation of cotton as a native industry. (c) the cultivation of groundnuts for export. (d) the exploitation of natural products.
The Development of a Cattle Raising and Export Industry.
Importance of Rich Natural Pastures. In an earlier part of this report I drew attention to the excellent grazing lands of the southeastern parts near the Carraipia range of hills. My second journey has more than confirmed the favorable opinions first formed of the importance of these lands for cattle farm- ing. And the fine pasture lands in various parts of the peninsula, to which in the description of my journey I have drawn attention, affords almost unlimited re sources for cattle farming. Although the Indians have large herds of cattle, at least ninety per cent. of the available pasture is lost, for the lack of cattle to con- sume it. I do not lose sight of the fact that I bave. from this point of view, seen the country at its best, and that many parts of the peninsula are in long and dry summers parched lands. 1 am told, however, that the cattle eat and flourish on the dry grass in such times providing water is available. In order to water their cattle the Indians have, in the dry seasons, to move them from place to place, and doubtless a large number of cattle are lost annually in this way.
Permanent Water Supply Essential. Before these line sabanas of Goajira can be con- verted to permanent grazing lands, permanent water supply is essential. The first necessity, therefore, is the provision of water, incredible as it may appear after what I have written regarding our experiences in flooded lands. In the northeastern parts of Brazil, where the climatic conditions are not dissimilar to those of Goajira, the Government has established artesian wells for the supply of water for the inhabitants and cattle: the water being pumped generally by windmills. For public purposes wells are provided by the Government.
for private enterprise the Government loans the boring apparatus at a nominal rate. Permanent water sup plies should be provided by the Government in Goajica at all the Stations, and in all populated centers through- out the peninsula where it is peeded. Such provision is, of course, more especially necessary in all important grazing centers for the cattle.
The Indians' Cattle and Dairy Farmers.
In the development of the cattle industry. I autici- pate that the Goajiran natives would, in course of time and with tactful handling, prove of valuable assistance. They are now uncivilized and respect no law but their own, but this is doubtless due to the fact that the Government has never administered the peninsula, in a true sense of the word, having only a handful of of- ficials distributed between centers noted for smuggling. I believe that if the Government established a powerful administration in the peninsula, that the Indians would be gradually subjected to the laws of civilization and be converted to useful subjects. They are born agri- culturalists, possessing large herds of cattle, horses. mules, donkeys, sheep and goats. They are dairy farm- crs, the production of cheese being their principal occu- pation; and unlike most parts of Colombia the Indians milk their cows twice daily as is customary in Europe. At present their production of cheese finds its way chiefly to Venezuela, the nearest and best market for their produce. Magnificent results might be expected from the importation of good breeding stock, as the native breed forms an excellent type on which to build up a race suitable for export.
The Cultivation of Cotton as a Native Industry.
I believe that there are considerable prospects for the development of this industry in Goajira as a native cul-
tivation. It is a plant in which the Indians are inter- ested, since they grow cotton to some extent and spin it for making their hammocks and girdles. Au important feature in this respect to this industry locally is that there is a better market for raw cotton in Barranquilla and in Venezuela than in the United States or Europe; that is to say, better prices are obtainable locally. There are several civilizados interested in this cultivation, hay- ing commenced cotton plantations. I do not, however, consider that they are growing the most suitable type.
Annual Varieties of Cotton Preferable. The kind being generally grown is the perennial type common to South America. As in Goajira there is usually a pretty well defined dry season, in my opinion better results would be obtained with annual types. I therefore recommend that the Government should ob- tain a few tons of seed from Egypt of the best varieties grown there, for free distribution amongst growers in Goajira by way of encouraging this important industry. Such varieties would require to be planted yearly, and after the crops have been gathered the plants should be rooted up and burnt. Not only do I think the climate more suitable for annual cotton, but I think it the moşt appropriate to grow as a native cultivation. The per- ennial cottons harbor and perpetuate various insect pests and discases, and there is much less danger of the industry suffering in this way if the old plantations are destroyed yearly. I noticed, for instance, on a cotton plantation at Tucaraca, that the plants were laden with the white scale, Hemichionaspis minor, Mask, a de- structive insect against which much effort has been directed with the view to its eradication, but without, I believe, much result I particularly look upon cotton growing in Goajira as a native industry which may prove of importance to the Indians in the maintenance of their domestic life, obviating the necessity to emi- grate.
Cheese Making in Guajira
10
Sheep Farming in Goajira
17
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