immense tracts of land without defining the metes and bounds.
It is to be presumed that the Federal Government will authorize a general survey of their public lands at an early day.
XXXI.
Stock-Raising.
Soon after the Spanish Conquest, horned cattle, horses, donkeys, sheep, and hogs were exported in large numbers to Mexico from the mother-country. At the present time more attention is devoted to rearing horses, mules, and donkeys than to other animals. The Mexican horse is of small stature, but possesses great endurance, and resembles the Arabian breed. The mules in Mexico are inferior in size to those of the United States, but are said to be capable of doing more work than the latter. Donkeys were introduced into New Spain by the priesthood, to take the place of the porters for carrying merchandise. (See chapter on labor and wages.) Cattle and sheep may be raised advantageously in most of the States of the Republic. The northern States, especially Chihuahua, afford the best grazing-land. Several English companies have recently purchased large stock-ranges in Tamaulipas, Nuevo-Leon, and Sonora.
Excellent pasturage may be found in the valleys of Toluca and Orizaba. The former is noted for a superior breed of hogs. The greater part of the region that is used for grazing lies on the table-land. Most of the arable land in the tierra caliente and tierra templada is employed for agricultural purposes. The haciendas of El Salado and Cedres, in the central part of Mexico, are among the largest stock-ranches in the Republic. Artificial ponds and tanks for watering animals are common throughout the country.
