Tractor Trade Possibilities in Mexico.
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THE Mexican States of Sonora, Sinaloa and Nayarit, known geographically as the West Coast of Mexico, have been more progressive in the adoption of modern agricultural machinery than any other section of that country. The principal crops of the west coast are sugar cane, tomatoes, wheat, rice, bananas, tobacco, and .cotton. The soil varies from a sandy loam to a heavy red soil resembling Californian adobe.
Tractors were first used in . these areas to bring about better production in the growing of sugar cane. They were of the large, high-power, tracklaying type. Fuel was expensive and the average ,farmer could not afford to operate a tractor. During the war imports practically ceased, but at a later date warehouse facilities were established by American implement manufacturers, and the demand for tractors has now reached a point where it will soon become an important part of farm equipment, provided more liberal credit arrangements can be facilitated.
There are at present in use on the west coast of Mexico about 300 tractors-80 per cent. are of the tracklaying type—of which 25 per cent, are of, the 15 h.p. size, 40 per cent. of the 30 h.p. and 35 per cent. of 60 h.p. With the 30 h.p. track-laying machine it is said to be possible to plough from 15 to 20 acres per day to a depth of 10 ins, and at a cost of about 6s. per acre.
Practically all the tractors in use are of American make, although there are some Canadian and Italian machines in Sonora and Sinaloa. Native tractordrivers are said to learn quickly and to do satisfactory work on the large " haciendas " under competent supervision. Fairly good repair shops are maintained in most localities for servicing tractors, and the distributors of various makes endeavour to maintain travelling service men to promote the use and general efficiency of their machines.
Tractors for use on the west coast of Mexico should have ample power and should be adaptable for road building and hauling as well as farm work. They should be simple in construction, well built, and capable of operating satisfactorily away from the source of repair parts. .
In the wheat sections the wheA type has given satisfactory service, but in the localities devoted to the raising of sugar cane, tomatoes and bananas the track-laying type appears to be preferred, owing to its ability to work satisfactorily on soft or wet ground. The better-class Mexican farmers are interested in the use of tractors, realizing the benefits As well as the economy of deep tillage. •
The sale of tractors has not increased from .year to year, as might have been expected, owing to the' difficult problem of financing. Sales are reported to have been most successful When a warehouse has been maintained locally and when the manufacturer has assumed part of the burden of the dealer in handling deferred payments for tractors which have been sold.to reliable farmers.
The Government of Mexico welcomes the importation of tractors and agricul• tural machinery.