PANAMA RAIL ROAD COMPANY. 29

CATTLE INDUSTRY.

The Cattle Industry was in charge of Mr. W. B. Brown up until
October 8, 1917, at which time the pastures, plantations, hog farms,
chicken farms and dairies, which were taken over on that date from the
Commissary Division, were placed in immediate charge of the Supervisor,
Dr. W. J. Taylor. Under date of April 15, 1918, however, Mr. Brown was
placed in charge of all operations of the Cattle Industry, with the excep-
tion of cattle purchases, including pastures, plantations, etc., and has
continued in charge to the present time as Superintendent, Cattle Industry.
Mr. J. H. Humphrey was appointed Cattle Buyer, Cattle Industry, under
date of April 1, 1918, reporting to the Chief Quartermaster.

Purchases: The cattle contract for 1917-18 was completed during
April of this year. A new contract for 1918-19 was entered into with
Colombian cattle men for 37,500 head of beef cattle at $0.04975 per. pound.
The purchase price has changed very little in the last three years, as is
evidenced by the following table:

No. oF Breer Carrie MINIMUM GROSS PrRicrE PAID PER

 

YEAR. PURCHASED. WEIGHT PER Heap. POUND.
THO EG) ares Seen ace ae artes a raeoeee der, 10,000 927 lbs. $0.0445
OM eee eee ee ee oa 14,000 950 lbs. 0.0448
HOR Re ke as ee ee a ks 3) 00) 870 lbs. - 0.04975

In addition to beef cattle purchased during this fiscal year, 3,000
three year olds were also purchased at $26.25 per head, and several
thousand head of beef cattle were bought in the open market in addition
to those on contract at prices varying from .0425 per pound to $41.00 per
head.

The large increase in purchase of cattle this year was made in order
that we might supply the U.S. Army in the States with beef. It is expected
to supply the Army from this source with 18,000 to 20,000 head during
the year.

In addition to cattle purchased i in Colombia the following is a list of
other articles purchased in that country and delivered to the Commissary
Division during the year:

QUANTITY. NUMBER OF POUNDS. PRICE.
Hogs Seo 2ehead i ee eee 1,064,371 .11 per lb.
COL oe EN ee 135,483 .02 per lb.
SU aT Re ea ea eeeg 423,510 .0579 per lb.
Sheets AO BNC aie ca ea Oe ae ete ne — 4.75 each
Chickens, AD eae acai eee oe ne es 105,389 .18 per lb.
Ducks, 7400) ee ee 19,088 .15 per lb.
Turkeys, 5, Ae i Eee ECP ae a ere eee eo ane 45,716 .21% per lb.
pole Sree Panama ca Spa i hee A Mea oa ne 175,284. .10% per lb.
BRAN eee Oe te roy oe ee ea ees, 150,000 .90 per cwt.
Black SULA 5s ace ee ee 138,000 gal. .08 per gal.
Yams. Wee eee echo e oe le oars oars Pesta ues 385,376 .018 per lb.
Bali @ ile ee ee ee 11,200 .10 per lb.
eines i ee ee ee Oe Cee eae 3,600 .11 per lb.
OAS ee ee ne 10,000 : .05 per lb.
Cocoanuts 42 0602 ees a .02% each
Butters ee Ce PN na Pe ee ee Mme ca, 4,065 .45 per lb.
Blamtaing ee oe OR OS ra ea 176,650 0025 per lb.
Mochila indian Bars, G00; 4...) 5 — .22 each
@olombraniGrass Mats; 438. 9.03 eee — .75 and $1.25 each
OTSeS 20 ee ee ee — 70.00 each
Grass Seed 70,000 .14 and .20 per lb.

 

: The above items were all brought to the isihmus on the §. S. “Carib-
ean.’