Industrial and commercial South AmericaPeck, Annie S. (Annie Smith)
History
Industrial and commercial South America
Peck, Annie S. (Annie Smith)
South America; South America -- Economic conditions -- 1918-
This might become a more important industry, though now practised to a
considerable extent. It has been customary to burn a section of forest
at the close of summer, February, to get rid of the underbrush, and
later to cut down the trees, which must have suffered some injury. The
forest area is below the Bio-Bio River. On a tract of 100 square miles
extending from near Valdivia north to Temuco, the timber averages about
9000 feet to the acre. Farther south the woods are denser, as on the
Island of Chiloé. The greatest extent of forest is in Valdivia, the
next in Llanquihue and in Chiloé. On this Island a 60 mile railway was
constructed by the Government from Ancud at the northwest to Castro
south, on the east side, making a part of the forest accessible. Oak,
Chilian mahogany, laurel, ash, pine, and other hard and soft woods
are available. There are in Chile 3000 saw-mills and some pulp and
shingle mills. The first and second grades of wood, used for floors and
finished boards, bring $12-$18 per 1000 feet, ash $25; the third grade
is worth $8. Shingles are $3 per thousand. From the forests comes the
_quillay_ bark with a soapy substance for cleaning silk and fine linen,
of which $200,000 worth is annually exported to France, after being
prepared by two Chilian factories. Tannin, of which 15,000 tons are
annually used, is derived from bark of several kinds. With additional
railways planned and Government data furnished, there is opportunity
for good investments with moderate capital.
STOCK RAISING
Stock raising of various kinds is carried on quite extensively by
some large companies under British, German, or Chilian control, often
paying 20 per cent dividends. Sheep are in the lead, numbering probably
6,000,000, cattle 3,000,000, horses 725,000, half as many goats,
a third as many pigs, fewer donkeys, mules, alpacas, and llamas.
The horses are good, larger than those in Peru, and noted for their
excellent trotting, some making this as easy as a good pace or canter.
In 1916, 20,000,000 pounds of wool were produced, half of this in
Magallanes Territory not far from Punta Arenas, where there are more
than 3,000,000 sheep. The meat is of the finest quality; the farther
south the better the wool in thickness and length of staple.
The cattle are improving with the introduction of Shorthorns
and Herefords; there is some export, especially to Bolivia. The
3,000,000 at present might be increased ten fold. A British company
is constructing a frigorifico at Puerto Montt. The dairy industry
is important, with good cheese, bottled milk, and some condensed.
Goats are numerous in the mountains. Apiculture is practised and fine
honey is made. Fisheries are of great importance and value, at Juan
Fernandez, as also along the coast.
MANUFACTURING
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