There is nowhere in the world richer land than that of the Republic of Panama, and the Pacific section of the Province of Chiriqui surpasses all other parts in fertility of soil, salubrity of climate, scenic beauty and conditions adapted to agricultural pursuits. The District of David is an ideal farming country. From the coast, the land gradually rises to the mountains, about forty miles inland. Stretches of monte alternate with large tracts of gently rolling llano, reminding one of the famous "blue grass" country in the neighborhood of Lexington, Kentucky, and covered with a thick mat of similar grass. Frequent streams and clumps of forest lend diversity to the landscape which has an ever-present background of mountain peaks whose heads penetrate the clouds. Finer land for cattle raising it would be impossible to imagine. The llanos furnish ample range of the best kind and rich portreros, filled with heavier growth, are fenced in upon the bottom lands. Cattle raising is the only agricultural industry to which any intelligence and care have been devoted to the natives. By constant experiment, and selection over a long period of years, an excellent breed of cattle has been produced. At four years of age an average Chiriqui steer will yield about 400 pounds of meat and fetch from $30 to $35 gold at David. The home market is not yet sufficiently supplied and it will be considerably enlarged with the opening of the Canal. The present method of shipment, which involves a steamboat journey of three or four days, prevents the delivery of the animals in Panama in the best condition, but with the establishment of the railroad from the capital to David this difficulty will be obviated. There is an abundance of nutritious food in the District. Guinea grass grows in tall bunches and savoya with a high broad blade. Del Para is a sort of creeper, introduced from Brazil. Jujuca is an extremely succulent grass that abounds in the river bottoms and can be depended on in the driest seasons. Jenjebrillo is similar to "blue grass, and gives a blade five inches in length during the rain. Sieta is a kind of sage, highly nutritious, that grows on sandy soil. Without doubt, alfalfa would thrive in this section, where the soil is a loose loam precisely adapted to deeprooting plants. Horse raising is not carried on to anything like the extent that it might be with profit. The |