Plants characterizing fertile lands, rich in humus, on the Atlantic slope, are _Piper_, especially that with large leaves, _Loaseæ_, and certain _Acanthaceæ_. On the Pacific side such characteristic plants are _Piper_, with smaller leaves, the Pacaya Palm, and some ferns. Especially are the _Aspidium_ and _Polypodium_ found in large quantities. Considering the future of Costa Rica, the question of farm labor is of vital importance. There are only a few Indians, and they are rapidly decreasing. It looks as though the fertile lowlands on the Atlantic and Pacific sides, as well as those in the extensive and fruitful San Juan valley, must be turned over to the Negro race as the only one capable of enduring so inhospitable a climate. These regions are the richest of all and could sustain a large population. The _live stock_ of Costa Rica, though in general superior to that of the rest of Central America, is not yet sufficiently large to supply the local demand. Although there has been recent improvement in breeding cattle and horses, yet the high grade animals, which could be easily introduced into a country of so many natural advantages, are still lacking. At different times the development of this industry has been attempted. Costa Rica has vast pasture lands splendidly adapted to cattle. It has very nutritious forage plants, like arrocillo, cola de venado, zacate de guinea, zacate de castilla, zacate pará, zacate ancho, grama, guate, caña de azucar, gamalote, sabanilla, teosinte, lengua de vaca, guácimo, jengibrillo, platanillo, etc. The _live stock_ of Costa Rica in 1892 was distributed as follows: Cattle. Horses. Sheep. Swine. San José 51,884 17,542 1,538 23,628 Alajuela 62,410 16,774 159 16,185 Cartago 48,555 9,900 715 5,109 Heredia 35,391 6,380 57 13,241 Guanacaste 134,567 24,458 296 2,180 Puntarenas 9,667 1,721 -- 1,128 Limon 3,191 268 -- 857 ------- ------ ----- ------ Total 345,665 77,043 2,765 62,328 The consumption of cattle in Costa Rica is exhibited by the following data: First half of 1894. 1895. 1896. 1897.