not sufficient to supply the local demand. The bulk of the flour
consumed is imported from the United States.
Almost ioo,ooo square miles of Venezuela consist of excellent
grazing lands. This fact, together with the favorable climate
has, especially within recent years, made Venezuela one of the
largest South American producers of cattle. This industry offers
a good opportunity for the profitable investment of United States
capital. The delta territory and the lands in the vicinity of the
great Orinoco river are inviting colonizers to invest largely in the
establishment of cattle ranches. I believe that the best business
enterprises in Venezuela to-day are the cattle ranches and the
dairy farms. They pay far better even than gold mines.
The enthusiasm awakened in Venezuela for the development of
its agricultural and cattle industries is due to the initiative of
private parties. Agricultural societies have been founded in many
parts of the country. At the suggestion of the Club Agricola of
Caracas, there met this year the first Congress of Farmers of
Venezuela. Our Government, ever attentive to the invitation of
the United States, has on four different occasions sent delegates
to the International Agricultural Congress, or the Farmers'
Congress of the United States. General Andrade, the President
of Venezuela, himself a farmer and cattle breeder, has created a
Department of Agriculture, and has ordered the establishment of
agricultural schools and experiment stations.
If at any time yoU should want any information concerning
Venezuela or any of the other Latin—American Republics, you
can obtain such information by addressing the Bureau of the
American Republics at Washington. It publishes hand books
and directories of those countries, and also a monthly bulletin
printed in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. If any of
you have an opportunity to visit the Commercial Museum in
Philadelphia, you will find there an extensive and interesting ex
hibit of many of the products of Venezuela.