Ecuador : its ancient and modern history, topography and natural resources, industries and social development . ato, ashas been asserted by some writers, cannot bedecided, but its cultivation dates from; the mostremote times, probably beyond the Inca period, andwas one of the gifts of the Andes to the world.,It was brought to the early notice of the Spaniardsnear Quito. The usual small vegetables, peas, beans, gar-banzas, etc., are largely cultivated in this zone, andthe vine has done well in sheltered situations. The Ecuadorian pastoral industries are in the samebackward state as characterise
Ecuador : its ancient and modern history, topography and natural resources, industries and social development . ato, ashas been asserted by some writers, cannot bedecided, but its cultivation dates from; the mostremote times, probably beyond the Inca period, andwas one of the gifts of the Andes to the world.,It was brought to the early notice of the Spaniardsnear Quito. The usual small vegetables, peas, beans, gar-banzas, etc., are largely cultivated in this zone, andthe vine has done well in sheltered situations. The Ecuadorian pastoral industries are in the samebackward state as characterises agriculture in thecountry. Any good results obtained are due tofavourable natural conditions rather than to improvedmethods. To the breeding of saddle horses someattention has been given, but cattle-breeding is back-ward. The wool of the paramo sheep is of inferiorquality, but there is little doubt that with the intro-duction of better stock it would be capable ofimprovement. The pasture is good, and the milkyielded by the cows of the uplands of excellentquality. It has been asserted that the interior o^. PASTORAL INDUSTRIES 335 Ecuador is capable of producing cattle to an amountten times greater than that required for home con-sumption, and that an export business could be estab-lished. At present only hides are exported, to theannual value of about £52, The best grazinglands are on the lower elevations of the Pacific slopeof the Cordilleras, and in some of the plateau dis-tricts of the higher Andes, such as those near Antisanaand Chimborazo. A small export trade in horsesand mules is done, but the wool-clip is all employedin home manufacture. Sheep-farming is un-doubtedly capable of extension. On the coastallands the natural pastures are also used, and at timesimproved for cattle. In forming artificial potrerosor meadows the gamalote, a native grass, is en-couraged to flourish, and the Janeiro, introduced fromBrazil, grows exceedingly well. As before described,alfalfa
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