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PRESS NOTICES OF THE FIRST EDITION

Melbourne Leader.—The author of ‘‘The World’s Meat Future” ean
claim fitst-hand knowledge of his subject. He represented Australian and
New Zealand Meat Works at the International Congresses of Refrigeration
in Paris and Chicago in 1908 and 1913 respectively, also the Federal Govern-
ment at the latter Congress.

Brisbane Daily Mail.—During the progress of the war leading men in the
Empire expressed anxiety in regard to the meat supply, and were of opinion
that after the war there would be a scarcity of meat. Statements of such
vital importance to the Empire must impress everyone, and they are dealt
with in a comprehensive manner in “‘ The World’s Meat Future.” Mr. Pearse
is well able to deal with such a great subject, and his book is one that will
easily be recognised as an authoritative volume all over the world.

The Mercury (Adelaide).—‘‘ The World’s Meat Future ” is of considerable
interest to persons either directly or indirectly engaged in the pastoral indus-
try. The author has a sound knowledge of the subject.

Evening Herald (Melbourne).—Knowledge and the capability to impart
it in an interesting and instructive way belong to the author of “‘ The World’
Meat Future.”’ The book contains a great deal of very valuable inforr
tion not only to stock-owners but to the general public. The publice
comes at a very opportune time, when everybody is more or less inter
in the meat supply.

Evening News (Sydney).—‘‘ The World’s Meat Future” is an abk
zonscientious effort to condense the necessary knowledge of the exact
and prospects of meat in the world into nearly 300 carefully wrought p
The author’s qualifications for the task are, of course, well known.
impossible in a review to condense more than a fraction of the wealth
and carefully weighed opinion in the book, which will repay the close
of everyone who desires to be well grounded in the meat question.

The Age (Melbourne).—‘‘ The World’s Meat Future ” gives an exhe
account of the live stock position and meat prospects of all the leading
zountries of the world.

The Australian Meat Trade Journal(Sydney).—The author of ‘““TheWor
Meat Future ”’ is particularly well qualified to deal with his subject, for .
has been closely associated with the development of the meat industry,
2specially in connection with refrigeration and cold storage, for the past
twenty-five years.

Sydney Morning Herald.—Almost everyone wants to know what is going
to be the position of our meat supply and the export outlook now that the
war is over. In view of the importance of the trade, a timely contribution
to the subject comes to us in form of an excellent publication—“ The World’s
Meat Future.”

The Register (Adelaide).—A volume which will be read with deep interest
and appreciation is ‘‘ The World’s Meat Future.’’ The letterpress throughout
is liberally illustrated with photographic reproductions and diagrams.

Sydney Stock and Station Journal.—Mr. A. W. Pearse, F.R.G.8., editor of
that unrivalled publication, The Pastoral Review, has just published a book
on “ The World’s Meat Future,” and it is timely, authoritative, cofaprehen-
sive, educational, up-to-date, and full of interest. It deserves the widest
circulation, and we would recommend it to stock-owners everywhere ; also
we would like to see every politician-in Australia read, mark, and inwardly
digest this book. It is just as useful in one country as another.

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THE WORLD'S MEAT
FUTURE

AN ACCOUNT OF THE LIVE STOCK POSITION AND
MEAT PROSPECTS OF ALL LEADING STOCK
COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD WITH FULL
LISTS OF FREEZING WORKS

BY

A. W. PEARSE, F.R.G.S.

EDITOR OF “THE PASTORAL REVIEW”

MELBOURNE, SYDNEY, ADELAIDE, BRISBANE, PERTH, LAUNCESTON

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY
SIR OWEN COX, K.B.E.

COMMONWEALTH MEAT ADVISER

SECOND EDITION

LONDON
CONSTABLE AND COMPANY LTD.

1920

FEB 1 8 1966

‘ Gq,
tae G | &
f Lesiry oF 1S

1060659
i
4 ° * *
oh

INTRODUCTION

OnE of the most important questions at the present time,
when the peace negotiations are settled, is that which forms
the subject matter of this book. Everybody wants to know
what is going to be the position of the meat supply, and all
sorts of prognostications are being given expression to. No
one should have a better idea of the possibilities of stock rais-
ing in various countries than Mr. A. W. Pearse. For twenty-
seven years he has been closely identified with the meat in-
dustry, not only in Australia, but in most of the stock-raising
countries of the world. The newspaper of which he is the editor
and proprietor (The Pastoral Review) circulates in all stock
countries, and I don’t suppose there are many men interested
in the meat trade who do not eagerly look for and read the
information he supplies. His paper alone has well-paid
representatives and experts in most countries where stock are
reared, and direct and authentic information and tables of
exports are regularly forwarded by them. So satisfied are the
meat firms of Australia and New Zealand with his capability
and knowledge that on two occasions he has been the repre-
sentative of all the meat-exporting companies of Australia
and New Zealand at International Congresses, the first in Paris
in 1908, and the second in Chicago in 1913. At the last con-
ference he also represented the Federal Government of Aus-
tralia, and read a paper on the world’s meat export trade before
a vast gathering of experts from all over the world. Most of
his knowledge has been gained first hand. He has visited the ~
States of South America and Africa several times, and when
the war broke d6ut was booked for a trip through Siberia to
gather information and prospects there. There may be
readers who will not agree with all his conclusions, but I have
no doubt the information he gives will add largely to our

1X

x THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

knowledge of what we can expect in the way of meat supplies
in the near future. The Pastoral Review, of which he is editor,
is certainly looked upon by those concerned in the trade as
the standard paper and “enquire within” for all matters
connected with live stock and meat exports in all parts of
the world.

E. OwENn Cox, K.B.E.

Commonwealth Meat Administrator. Deputy Con-
troller of Overseas Shipping. Member of the Common-
wealth Government Shipping Board. Chairman of The
Overseas Central Committee, which has the disposition
of the whole of the tonnage loading oversea from Australia
and British Government tonnage. Director in Australia
of the Federal Steam Navigation Co., Ltd., and Chair-
man of the Australian Frozen Meat Shipping Committee
for the Imperial Government.

Sydney, Nov. 6, 1918.

FOREWORD

In venturing to publish this book, the author does so in the
hope that it may be of service to those interested in the food
problems which are before us. It should also be of use to those
stock-owners all over the world who are anxious about the
future of the stock-raising industry.

For several years prior to the war it was a widely held
theory that the world’s meat consumption was overtaking
the supply. Not so much to combat this belief as to furnish
the industries concerned with the fullest facts governing the
future as well as the present position, I have published from
time to time in The Pastoral Review particulars of progress
and development of meat production in the later fields of
enterprise as well as in the domains of more mature exploita-
tion of this resource of Nature. The assembling of this and
much other information within the covers of the present
volume is, I think, the first attempt to treat the subject at
all comprehensively.

It will be seen that I am not pessimistic as regards the meat
supply of the future, and I hold that for many years cattle and
sheep raising are going to be the most profitable of all indus-
tries. There are no better prospects for young men than in
the healthiest and cleanest of all professions—that of stock
raising—provided that before they launch out on their venture
they obtain the necessary practical knowledge and experience.
Wool and meat will always be in strong demand, and there
is no sign that either will be in over supply for many years.
Governments must assist and not handicap the stock-breeders,
and minimum prices, not maximum, should be the rule if prices
have to be fixed at all. The cities are entirely dependent upon
the producer. ‘‘ Destroy your country, and the grass will
grow in the streets of your cities, but make the country pros-
perous and the cities will jump ahead in prosperity.”

Xl

xii THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

In describing area, climate, and pastoral conditions of some
of the Central American Republics not visited by me during
recent years, I have had recourse to those splendid books,
The Great States of South America, by C. W. Domville-Fife ;—
Brazil and the Brazilians, by G. J. Bruce; Brazil in 1913, by |
J.C. Oakenfall ; Argentine and Uruguay, by Gordon Ross ;
and Central America, by W. H. Koebel.

A, Wits

June 30th, 1919

CONTENTS

PAGE
IntROoDUCTION BY Sir E. Owen Cox, K.B.E., AUSTRALIAN MEAT
ADMINISTRATOR P - : : é 2 ; ; 1X
FOREWORD . ‘ A : : : : E : xl
THE Wortp’s Meat FUTURE : : : : F 3
Summary oF Meat SUPPLIES : j ; F : ; 17
TRADE AND EMPIRE : - : : ; ; 21
AUSTRALIA , 2 : : , j 2 : F 4 : 27
33 CAUSES OF SHORTAGE IN LIVE STOCK AND SUGGESTED
REMEDIES. é 3 5 F 5 A : 32
33 DIAGRAMS OF MEAT EXPORTS : 5 2 : 5 38
on Crimatic ContTROL OF PRODUCTION : ‘ 3 , 40
“5 RECONSTRUCTION AND EXPANSION ‘ - . . 43
oc DIAGRAM ILLUSTRATING THE ABOVE : s é : Se
ss THE InDIAN ZEBU FOR AUSTRALIA z d ; = ys)
Pe Frxing PRICES . i 5 : : ; 2 5 59
Ac CartLE PRosFECTS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA . 3 : 61
NEw ZEALAND f Z : : : : ; i 65
“ Tur FrRozeEN Meat TRADE . : : . x 66
ARGENTINA . . 5 : 3 < ; ; L 5 : 83
93 SHORTHORNS F : f P s : 96
“ TIERRA DEL FUEGO AND SOUTHERN PATAGONIA - A 97
+ THE ARGENTINE MESOPOTAMIA , P : is ae LO
Be Tue Back CounTRY . : z 2 : 2 Spal elite,
=o THe Prate Coast BELT : - 5 : See i!
ot REFRIGERATOR Motor TRUCKS ; a é f . 129
“ ARGENTINE MEAT CONSUMPTION AND EXPORT : Ree iat!)
a FRIGORIFICOS AND Mrat FACTORIES : : : SP lpi
35 EXPORTATION : 3 A : : ; raelsy
= Homer CONSUMPTION . : : ; : Z vr Wds2
“ CatTLE WrIGHTS—LIVE AND DEAD E ‘ 4 x lisse
Braziu : : , : : ; - : ; 1 _ 134
- BRAzin AS A PASTORAL COUNTRY i é . ‘ ae las
UrRvuGUAY Z ; - ‘ a 3 : . é g ; 150
PaRAGUAY . E ; - - ; : : ‘ : our alee
CHILE ; ? : : : 5 H : Sie:
PaTAGONIA . _ s : : : 5 : ‘ a. eG
UNITED STATES. . ‘ ; ‘ g : 2 3 { 159
zs CENTRALIZED Live-STocK MARKETING : 5 ht 62:
166

IMPROVING POWER OF THE SHORTHORN . . .

3?

xii

xiv THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

PAGE
Unitrep States: BreEDs or BEEF CATTLE : ; ; i Bon het
+~ Tue HerEForD, PottEpD HEREFORDS, ABERDEEN-
Ancus, THE GALLowaAy, Duat-PuRPOSE BREEDS,
SuHortHorns, Rep Pouts, Drvons, BRAHMAN
CATTLE é 4 é : é 3 » op aie
CANADA : ; : ‘ : ; ; A ; i . 189
i QUALITY AND WeIGcuT OF CATTLE : 2 : ; . 290:
< ScorE CARD FOR BEEF STEER . 3 F ‘ é . 194
ae Maxine Baspy BEEF IN ALBERTA : ; Z Berets
er Points or Beer CATTLE < ? ; : 4 200
Mexico : s : : 3 " ; ‘ : : . 202
VENEZUELA . , . , ‘ ; . : : O20
BrivtisH GUIANA . . , : F 5 : : Pamgi ||
EcuapoR : s : : : : : . : ‘ a wes
COLOMBIA. . 5 A : E ; : 5 : . 214
Honpuras . : 5 ; : 3 ; : 5 ; cae ke
Bo.utvia s ; ; : : : : 5 ; ; . 220
PERU : . ‘ y 4 , : j 7 220
RHODESIA. Z i . 5 : ; - A : ~ 223
oe BuILDING UP THE HERDS : < * .. © Seen.
* CominG Breer Exports . : ; s ; : ea,
SoutH AFRICA : ; : : 3 : : : » 240
a SHEEP BREEDING a 3 A F : . 250
MADAGASCAR ‘ c 5 : ; : F 4 , . 206
is Murton Exports 5 : ; : ; . 262
Morocco. : : : : : : : : ; . (oom
$3 Live Stock . : ; : , : F ; . 264
Bs LAND . ; 5 : ; : : : : . 206d
British East AFRICA . ; : ae : 2 P ‘ 2. 206
SoutH-West AFRICA . : : : A ; 2 : . He
EGypr AND THE SOUDAN 4 5 : : : 2 ; . 279
SHEEP IN EcypTt AND SOUTHERN PALESTINE . ; : ; . 282
NIGERIA : , F : : ; : 4 ‘ ; . 290
ABYSSINIA, SOMALILAND AND THE CAMEROONS ; F : «/' 292
CHINA : ‘ : : 4 ; j ; 7 om Rute fe
SIBERIA ; : , : : ; 2 A y 5 . 295
THE Pactiric IsLanps, (Fis1, New CaLeponra, SANDWICH Group) . 297
JAPAN ; ; : , , : : 2 : : . 30l
INNOVATION IN Murron StowaGeE 3 F , , oe
DiIrPFING CATTLE 5 : : : : i . 304
CatTTLeE Tick ERADICATION . ‘ ‘ : 5 - : 2 BOW,
DEHORNING CATTLE - 5 ; . : : ; Pr (33
LivE AND DRESSED WEIGHTS ; , : ; F é yess! 5;
VENISON ; : ; 3 5 Z : 2 5 : pen 3 he
SraTisticaL Stupy of Bopy WeicutTs, GAINS AND MEASUREMENTS OF =
Srkers Durinc THE FarreENiING PERIOD, WITH TAPLES . An, vies

List or Meat CANNING AND PRESERVING WoRKS IN AUSTRALIA, NEW

ZEALAND, ARGENTINA, Patagonia, UrnuGuAy, PARAGUAY, Brazit,
VENEZUELA , - ; 3 4 : ; Peedi)

ILLUSTRATIONS

Bullocks Watering on the Lachlan .

Champion Hereford Helfer
Shorthorn Cow and Bull Calf .
Champion Hereford Bull

Australia :

Cattle at a Dam (iietoria)

Stud Shorthorn Cow (New South Wales NS

Champion Shorthorn Bull
Aberdeen Angus Cow (Queensland) .
Shorthorn Bull (Sydney)

One of the Paddocks (Western Australia)

Aberdeen Angus Bull Be ety
Hereford Ball

Champion Cow of Australia
Shorthorn Cow (Champion)

Fat Bullocks (Queensland)
Shorthorn Bull (Queensland) .

Stud Shorthorn Bull (New South Wales) j

Shorthorn Bull (Champion)
Hereford Bull fe
Hereford Cow a
The Zebu—Shorthorn Cross

Mow Zealand : A Meori War Worker

Pastoral Scene

Stud Romney Sheep

Fat Bullocks .

Wool Shed and Flock of Seen
Stud Romney Sheep

Hereford Cattle

Whakatane Meat Works

Meat Works at Kaiapoi

Stud Romney Sheep

ie contins - Durham Cattle at Curumalan

An Estancia Homestead
Breeding Mares ‘** El Socorro ”
** Freezer ’’ Store Cattle
Shorthorn Bull (Champion)
Shorthorn Cow Ef
Hereford Bull as
Hereford Cow

XV

Frontispiece
PAGE

16

22

Xvi THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

Argentina: Fat Shorthorn Bullock . . » : ‘ , oe EE
Patagonia: Group of Sheep . : b ; 2 : P Bae) ts) }
Argentina: Cattle Dip . ? : A ee ‘ ; ; . 103
Shorthorn Cow . : ; , / ‘ Pytesd |:
Hyeusil Typical Cattle—Shorthorn Gross ; ; ; ; - 135
United States : Shorthorn Bull (Champion) : : : . 160
* Shorthorn Cow - P : é .» 465
na Hereford Bull _ 3 4 = A 3; *468
a Shorthorn Bull ~~ : d 6 : ky LES
Canada: Range Cattle . : ° : : : ; 3 . = LOM
> Shorthorn Cows 2 - 5 A : ~ ; 2
A Shorthorn Bull 4 5 : - , A - 195
>) Mob of Cattle at Indian Head ; 2 5 - 5 pie 74
s Points of Beef Cattle , , F - ‘ ; - 200
Honduras: Shorthorn Half-Blood Bull . : : P : a LS
South Africa: A Typical Karroo Scene . ; : : oY Zan
“A Cattle Crossing a River (Natal) . , 2 3 . 245
3 Zebu Heifer. = B : : A oa
a Merino Rams . . P . , . 248
Madagascar : Soissonnais and Ranibouiliat Geos : E ; . 255
bs Native Bull E A 4 * : 2 3 3 Zor
East Africa : A Congoni : a . _ ‘ - “267
¥ The Naivasha Stud Foot Manager : : ; + 273
Egypt: Young Cows (Improved) . : ; - 4 a ae
ri Native Bull és ; vat 6a 6 . * . - 280
by Native Bull, Geaproved (2226 ae ; : aN é . 281
Solomon Islands: Zebu Bull . c - : : oe en,

Pacific Islands : One of the Paddocks on an Estate : - “ . 299
Mutton Carcases : New Mode of Cutting for aga . A . - 302
Tick-Infested Ox Skin . ; : ; ; , 2 - 308

England ; The King’s Shorthorns at Windsor . ‘ ; i . 149
Lord Rothschild’s Red Polls at Tring s ‘ . -., ABS
Lord Rothschild’s Hampshire Down Sheep - é Pye i
Lord Rothschild’s Hampshire Down Ewes ; : +) 28
Group of Heifers and Cows. 3 , “ . 222
Mr. J. E. Quested’s (Kent) Dairy Cattle - : ; ey) eee
The King’s Herefords . - ‘ 5 2 . . 291

THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

Lorp Harcourt recently said in the House of Lords that
while he was acting as President of the Board of Trade, in 1916,
he acquired information which caused him the greatest anxiety
in regard to the meat supply, and added, “ After the war there
will be a scarcity of meat—almost a war famine. Germany,
Belgium, and Holland are faced with a post-war deficit of
8,000,000 head of cattle, and Denmark, Austria, Servia and
Roumania another 8,000,000. Europe, therefore, will seek
to import from 16 million to 20 million head of cattle. Britain
produces only 60 per cent of the meat consumed. I am so
impressed with the seriousness of the position last year that I
have sought to arrange a scheme for securing a supply of
chilled meat, which will be ample for Britain for several years
after the war.”’

This statement, by a prominent British statesman, is of such
vital importance to the Empire that to the best of my ability I
am going to place before those who care to read it, the position
to-day in the various stock-raising countries of the world.

At the outset, I may say that I fear the information given
to Lord Harcourt must have been of a hasty character.
Granted that the shortage in the seven European countries
named would amount to 16,000,000 head of cattle, that does
not mean that a similar number or more would have to be
imported to make up the shortage. First of all there will be
probably 16,000,000 to 20,000,000 adults less to eat meat, and
the children, or those of them left alive, will not by any means
require so much meat for a few years after the war. Probably
countries like Denmark, Holland, Germany and Austria will
have kept a large proportion of breeding stock, and in three
or four years a very large increase of young cattle may be
looked for, particularly if they buy bulls from Britain, United

B

2 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

States, or Canada, where there is plenty of young male stock
available. Meantime people will have learned economy, the use
of horse and whale flesh, and the larger use of fish and cereals,
besides which there is not the necessity they ne for so
big a meat diet.

As regards Great Britain’s meat supply, the war has in no
way diminished her flocks and herds ; in fact, if anything, they
are larger than before the war. The total cattle at the end of
1916 being 12,451,450, and the sheep 28,849,655. Imagine in
little Britain 2,000,000 more cattle than in all Australia. This
is the more wonderful when we realise that over 2,500,000 acres
of grazing lands have been put under crop. The British people
have also learned the much needed lesson. of economy, and after
the war there will not be the enormous waste there has been in
the past. Cold meat will not again be thrown away wholesale
to the pigs and the dogs, it will be utilised as it should be. Again,
many foods have taken the place of meat, and the people have
discovered that they are much healthier on a smaller meat diet.
Taking the population of Greater London, which represents
roughly the area supplied from Smithfield, at 7,500,000, it can
be seen that the Capital is now apparently consuming much less
meat than before the war, the quantity marketed during 1917
being only 1.62 lbs. per head per week, i.e. including bacon,
poultry, game, etc., as against 2.48 Ibs. per head in 1913. The
Empire’s armies will get back to Australia, New Zealand,
Canada, and India, where there is more than ample meat for
all their wants, and it will be found that instead of 37 per cent
of meat having to be imported, which before the war was
Britain’s requirements from abroad, probably 20 per cent or
25 per cent only will be needed. Sixty-three per cent of the
total meat supply of Great Britain before the war was home
grown. Of the imported meat supply (37 per cent), Argentina
supplied 80 per cent of the beef, and Australia 12 per cent,
the- balance coming from various sources. New Zealand sup-
plied 40 per cent, Australia 25 per cent, and Argentina 29 per
cent of the imported mutton and lamb.

The flocks and herds in France have not decreased since 1916,
in fact they have increased, but from the commencement of the
war until that year the sheep flocks fell away by 30 per cent.

Cy ne Te ee

THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE 3

With the introduction of studs from Britain, however, they
will rapidly gain in number and in weight. In July, 1917,
their Census Returns accounted for 12,443,304 cattle, 10,586,594
sheep, and 4,200,280 pigs. Supplies of home-grown meat for
the civil population were accordingly fairly plentiful.

It must not be forgotten that there are several countries in
Europe with enormous populations which make grain of various
sorts their main food supply; therefore, in investigating the
requirements for meat, it is well to remember this important
factor, and those countries can be put on one side, as their
main food supply will come out of the ground. Again, there
are many nations whose people are meat eaters yet are not
so fastidious as we are and use horse flesh, whale flesh, and
- other meats which the average Britisher or American refuses
to touch.

The world’s export output of frozen and chilled beef, mutton
and lamb in 1917 was estimated at 965,000 tons, as against
915,380 tons in 1916, 881,075 tons in 1915, and 800,375 tons in _
1914—a steady rate of expansion which was very satisfactory, _
under war conditions. From these yearly totals, about 386,000
tons, 381,569 tons, 218,150 tons, and 105,948 tons respectively
were diverted to markets other than the United Kingdom.

The nations which are mainly beef, mutton, and pork eaters
are the British Empire, United States, Germany, France, and
a few other smaller countries in Europe; also most of the
South American Republics. These are the countries whose
supply and demand must be looked at when investigating the
condition and prospects of the meat trade of the world, and I
propose to take them in the order of their importance.

Many of the countries I shall describe have been visited by
myself during the last thirty years with the particular object
of studying their pastoral capabilities for the information of
the graziers of Australia and New Zealand. Therefore this
matter of stock and meat supplies comes in very opportunely.
Russian requirements may be left out of the question. When
these people settle down, introduce law and discipline, and have
shot the men who have brought the country to its present
pitiable condition, they will be able to draw what meat they will
temporarily require from the vast plains of Siberia, Manchuria,

4 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

and China, where there are great herds of cattle available.
Hard times for a year or two will be the fate of several of
the Balkan States, but grain and potatoes are their prin-/
cipal foods, as I have stated before. It is gratifying to
see that Sir Henry Rew, the well-known food statistician,
agrees with my view. In a recent address before the Royal
Statistical Society, he said: ‘It appears that during the war
a very substantial stimulus has been given to overseas trade
in meat, and that sources of supply hitherto almost untapped
have been developed. It is clear that what may be termed the
old reservoirs from whence meat supplies have been drawn are
expanding and are capable of further expansion. There are
also new and vigorous competitors for the world’s trade.”

Refrigerated tonnage after Peace is signed will be more than
ample for all requirements, notwithstanding the submarines.
Great Britain had more refrigerated tonnage at the end of
last year than she had at the beginning of the war, and it
must also be remembered that Italy, France, the United
States, and other countries are building up quite a big fleet of
refrigerated steamers.

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF THE CHIEF STOCK-PRODUCING
COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD :—

Australia. Peru.

New Zealand. Rhodesia.

Argentina. British East Africa.

Brazil. Union of South Africa.

Uruguay. Bechuanaland.

United States. S.W. Africa.

Canada. Nigeria.

Paraguay. Morocco.

Mexico. Madagascar.

Cuba. Egypt.

Nicaragua. Soudan.

Venezuela. Abyssinia.
~ Colombia. | Somaliland. >

Honduras. Cameroons.

Chile. Algeria.

Guatemala. Manchuria.

THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE 5

All the above-mentioned countries possess a more or less
large supply of sheep and cattle of more or less satisfactory
quality. Most of them have vast areas of fine grazing land,
many with excellent climate and with plenty of rivers. With
one or two exceptions they are countries fit for the white men
to live and thrive in; many of them are sparsely populated,
and land is to be obtained at moderate cost.

With the introduction of good stud animals to those countries
which are yet in their undeveloped condition, the installation
of numerous dips, and with stable governments, in a very few
years they could most of them be brought to the meat-export-
ing stage. The past experience in Argentina and Uruguay, and
the present experience in Brazil, are sufficient to show the more
backward countries what they may look forward to under
modern business methods. The great need in most new coun-
tries is for animals that will improve the native stocks so that
they may increase in weight, shape and quality. That such
animals are procurable, and even in large numbers, in Great
Britain, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Argen-
tina, is quite evident if one visits the magnificent stock shows
in those countries. Cattle and sheep are available of high-class
quality, of all breeds, and to suit all climates and pastures, and
directly the world settles down after this war-madness is
quenched, it is highly probable that men will be touring those
countries and buying largely to improve their backward flocks
and herds. The stud breeder is doing an international work,
and should be encouraged by the Governments of the countries
in which he is carrying on his good work.

The Latin-American Division of the U.S. Bureau of Foreign
and Domestic Commerce lately prepared a report on the meat-
packing industry in South America, with the view of showing
that that continent, with its increasing areas suitable for cattle
raising and its meat-packing establishments, is in a position
to play an important part in the world’s meat production in
the future. This report says that one of the most serious
questions confronting the countries of the world is that of the
meat supply of the future. For nearly a decade the number
of cattle has not been increasing in proportion to the demands
of the growing populations. The decrease in the supply of

6 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

meat has affected the United States as well as Europe. Russia,
which before the war had some 50,000,000 head of cattle and
“wo-thirds as many sheep as Australia, has ceased, temporarily
at least, to be a factor in the European trade. The herds of
western Europe, small before the war in comparison with the
demands of the increasing population, are now greatly depleted
and cannot be replaced for many years after the war. The
situation in the United States is reaching an interesting stage.
Within the last ten years the population has increased about
18 per cent, while the herds have decreased 20 per cent. In
1893 the United States imported 3293 head of cattle, and from
its abundant supply exported over 287,000. In 1915, twenty-
three years later, the import and export figures are practically
reversed. In the latter year the United States exported only
5484 head and imported 538,167 cattle. However, since this
report was issued, the export of meat has again assumed
enormous proportions through the increase of stock and the
magnificent economy of the American people.

The report goes on to ask whether South America, with its
extensive areas suitable for cattle raising, and its growing meat-
packing plants, will help to relieve the situation? The outlook
in that direction is, indeed, favourable. Already Argentina and
Uruguay, and in a lesser degree Brazil, Colombia, and some of
the other countries, are figuring as meat-producing possibilities.
In the development of this industry, the general installation of
refrigeration by steamship lines has been of great service.

In South America stock breeding is a resultant industry of
meat freezing. Before the introduction of refrigeration, salted
and dried meat, tough and unpalatable, was in general use
locally and exported in limited quantities to Europe. This
meat is known variously as jerked beef, in Argentina as tasajo,
as xarque in Brazil, in Peru as charque, and as biltong in
Africa. It is still used in some parts of South America and in
the Tropics, where it is almost impossible to keep fresh meat,
but it has never been popular in Europe. As the saladeros
(meat-drying establishments) could make use of almost any
animal, and since the demand was quite limited, there was
really no incentive to breed fine stock.

Stimulated by the increasing demand from Europe for im-

f
P

hy

ing

Seg nee F

TES fee eta eRe:

Pies 2) “Reet Ween

THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE 7

ported fresh meat, attempts were made to export cattle on the
hoof. These, however, proved unsuccessful owing to the out-
break of foot-and-mouth disease and the extra expense entailed.
Then the meat-packing and, indirectly, the stock-raising in-
dustries were revolutionised by the introduction of refrigera-
tion. This made possible the shipping of frozen and chilled
meat. Chilled meat has a much more delicate flavour than the
solidly. frozen meat, and normally brings 14 to 24 pence a
pound more on the English market, but it must be used im-
mediately after removing from cold storage.

Argentina is to-day the most important beef-producing
country of the world. Brazil is beginning to appreciate its
own potentialities as a meat producer, and is likely to become
a powerful rival in the near future. Uruguay has maintained
a leading position, while Paraguay, Colombia, and Venezuela
are among the countries that are receiving careful considera-
tion from far-sighted American and English packers.

The meat-packing industry of Argentina has been spared the
hardships incidental to the experimental stages of a new under-
taking. Its market was already created ; finely bred cattle
were available in Europe and the United States; it had but
to model its packing houses along well-established lines. It
was not until 1901, when the exports from the United States
began to decline materially, that exports of Argentine beef
began to assume importance; but since then the increase
has been steady and rapid. Australia and New Zealand, with
a well-established trade in frozen mutton, largely supplied the
markets for this product. In the beginning Argentina paid
but little attention to the raising of hogs, so that the export
of pork was of relatively little importance. During the period
of 1908 to 1914 a decided change took place. The number of
hogs in Argentina in 1914 represented an increase of 1,496,994
over the number in 1908, while cattle and sheep showed a
corresponding decrease. This would seem to indicate that
special attention is being paid to the pork-packing branch of
the industry. Another indication of the future tendency is
the fact that the Armour company in Buenos Aires has equipped
its new plant with facilities for handling 1000 hogs, in addition,
to the 1500 cattle and 2500 sheep, per day.

8 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

England has been the principal market for Argentine beef,
which it admitted free of duty, while many of the other
European countries imposed prohibitive import duties. This
condition is changing, due partly to the war demands ; Italy
and France are importing large quantities of frozen beef for
their armies, and the United States has opened its markets to
foreign meat.

With regard to the current situation, Messrs. W. Weddel and
Co., in their annual report of 1917, give interesting particulars,
which are worth quoting in extenso :—

“The world’s export output of frozen and chilled beef,
mutton and lamb in 1917 is estimated at 965,000 tons, as
against 915,380 tons in 1916, 881,075 tons in 1915, and 800,375
tons in 1914—a steady rate of expansion which must be con-
sidered very satisfactory under war conditions.

“That this great industry has been maintained on so large
a scale throughout the whole period covered by the war speaks
well for the energy of suppliers, the efficiency of the British
Navy, the pluck of the Mercantile Marine, and the enterprise
of the Allied Governments, for whom the handling of the great
bulk of these exports is now organised.

“The official weights of the various descriptions of frozen
and chilled meat imported into the United Kingdom in 1917,
as well as the number of packages, are not available, but those
for the previous four years, along with the approximate total
import in 1917, were as follows :—

1913 1914 1915
AAUSTRATIA 2... «,. | 2.» ko0'666 tons 143,853 tons 124,572 tons
Nw ZEALAND. ..5- -. 225. TOR34. 142;700'. 3; 157,901 ,,
ARGENTINE REFUBLIC Bee ter 184 ie 356,936 ,, 293,909 ,,
OrHER COUNTRIES .. .. 38,146 ,, 50,938 ,, 86,543 —,,
ToTaAL gn Bei Be 2D bons 694,427 tons 662,925 tons
1916 1917
AUHTHATZA 35. .06'54 Uk 51,343 tons
New ZeATAND 2. +... *ai- 2585123. -;,
ARGENTINE REPUBLIC Me AOU» 35
OTHER COUNTRIES .. .. 84,048 _,, =
—_—— About
ToTau eee ae). | Done tODE 550,000 tons

Argentina has been shipping very heavily also to the United States during
the past two years.

THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE’ 9

THE CONTINENT OF EUROPE

“Last year, frozen meat business on the Continent was
again of a special character, inasmuch as deliveries, practi-
cally without exception, were made under Government Con-
tracts for Army supplies.

“ France.—Atrrivals of frozen meat were regularly main-
tained at French ports throughout the year, so that the aggre-
gate quantity imported was fully as important as during the
preceding year. Precise figures, however, are not available.
The whole import was utilised for feeding the Allied Armies,
with the exception of relatively insignificant quantities which
the Government at times allowed to be delivered to co-opera-
tive societies and municipal shops for civil consumption in
Paris.

“Partly as a result of the steady importation of frozen
meat, there was no further depletion of the French herds. On .
the contrary, these are believed to have recovered lost ground
during the past year, and in July last the Census Returns
accounted for 12,443,304 cattle, 10,586,594 sheep, and 4,200,280
pigs—totals which compare favourably with the figures for
1916. Supplies of home-grown meat for the civil population
were accordingly fairly plentiful, and there was no question
of any serious shortage such as has been experienced in the
United Kingdom. In fact, during the autumn, the Army
authorities availed themselves to a certain extent of the extra
supplies that were being marketed to create a temporary re-
serve of frozen meat, so far as the cold storage accommodation
would allow. Two meatless days per week were instituted
from March until September inclusive, after which period it
was found possible to discontinue this restriction.

“ Italy—During 1917 the quantity imported was greater
than in any preceding year; but the still increasing demand
exceeded the supply, and it may be assumed that Italian herds
of cattle decreased during the year, in spite of the fact that the
two meatless days per week, instituted in May, 1915, are still
enforced.

“The fleet of Italian-owned refrigerated steamers is now of
some importance, and these vessels are proving of great utility

10 THE WORLD'S MEAT FUTURE

in the importation of the increased supplies required by the
Allied Armies now operating in Italy.

Notes oN VARIOUS SOURCES OF SUPPLY

“ United Kingdom.—On paper, the herds and flocks of this
country were in a satisfactory position when the usual annual
census was taken on 4th June, 1917, by the Board of Agricul-
ture. The number of cattle at that date was 12,381,186 head,
compared with 12,451,540 head in June, 1916, a reduction of
only 0-5 per cent from the largest total on record. In the case
of sheep the figures were 27,867,244 in 1917, against 28,849,655
in 1916—a reduction of 3-4 per cent from one of the best years
of the present century.

* Australia—Weather conditions continued to be highly
favourable in all parts of the Commonwealth, and stock gener-
ally are in good fettle. Nevertheless, exports of beef were con-
siderably lighter than was anticipated, disastrous droughts two
years previously having materially reduced, the herds in
Queensland. Mutton was shipped in restricted volume because
so many graziers, anxious to replenish their flocks, were ready
to pay prices for stock beyond the moderate limits imposed
upon the freezing works by their contract with the British
Government. The works, however, have taken these opera-
tions philosophically, realising that they mean larger supplies
of freezers for them in the near future.

“The total export output of beef, mutton and lamb in 1917
from all the Australian works was 118,540 tons, of which
108,740 tons were beef, and only 9800 tons mutton and lamb.
This meat was all shipped for the United Kingdom, except
5530 tons. In 1916 the total export was 104,000 tons ; in 1915,
132,090 tons ; and in 1914, 171,200 tons.

‘“‘ Storage accommodation had been much increased during
1916 in expectation of a larger export trade, but this extra
space was not required in 1917, partly because of the restricted
quantities handled, and partly because the supply of tonnage
was comparatively well maintained. Several experiments were
made in the cutting of frozen carcases, with a view to economi-
cal stowage on board ship ; and in the case of mutton and lamb

en

THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE 11

these proved successful to the extent of saving 15 to 30 per
cent of space. Very much more freight space might have been
saved by shipping a larger proportion of boned beef.

“ New Zealand.—The export trade was carried on through-
out the year under the revised contract made with the Imperial
Government in October, 1916. Owing to scarcity of tonnage,
shipments were considerably smaller in 1917 than in 1916.
Fortunately large additions had been made to the storing capa-
city of all the leading works in the Dominion, so that there was
no real difficulty about holding over stocks in store. Towards
the end of the year the large shipments made relieved the
position ; but the restriction of business throughout the year
added considerably to the cost of production. |

‘« Sales of the surplus supplies of lamb were made in London
at 94d. in January and at 10d. during the remainder of the
year, but the total quantity distributed through the usual
trade channels was quite inadequate, the market being con-
tinuously understocked.

“The report of the Commission appointed to inquire into
the operations of American packers in New Zealand was issued
in October. It practically amounted to an indictment of their
methods generally, and contained a strong warning against
their being permitted by the Government to acquire any
further hold on the trade of the Dominion.

_“ Canada.—A further satisfactory development of the ex-
port trade from the Dominion took place last year, when ship-
ments to the United Kingdom and France amounted to 55,000
tons, as compared with 15,200 tons in 1916, and 6280 tons in
1915. A certain proportion of the 1917 total consisted of
United States beef railed to Canadian ports for shipment ;
nevertheless, the purely Canadian trade shows signs of healthy
expansion, with many indications of its becoming a well-
established industry after the present abnormal conditions
have disappeared. The latest live-stock statistics, published
in September last, support the view that the Canadian farmers
are making strenuous efforts to augment their meat supplies,
the number of cattle in 1917 being estimated at 7,920,940 head,
as against 6,594,151 head in 1916—a remarkable increase of
20 per cent. Sheep also increased from 2,022,941 head in 1916

12 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

to 2,369,358 head in 1917 but there is still no export of
mutton from Canada. .

“* South Africa.—As a promising new source of Empire meat
supply, the Union of South Africa continues to gain in im-
portance. The pastoral conditions of the country are emi-
nently suitable for beef production on a large scale, the exist-
ing herds of cattle totalling about 8,000,000 head. Farmers
throughout the Union are increasing their efforts to provide
beef of a quality suitable for export ; freezing accommodation
is being extended as rapidly as war conditions will allow ;
railway facilities are being improved ; and the British Govern-
ment, by providing freight space and purchasing full cargoes ~
at fair prices for Army requirements, is lending valuable aid
to the new industry.

“ Exports last year amounted to 22,400 tons, as compared
with 7928 tons in 1916, and 2324 tons in 1915. Of the 1917
total only about 3200 tons came to England, the balance being
shipped to other destinations. The restricted quantities which
reached the London market from time to time showed no real
improvement in quality or condition, as compared with arrivals
in 1916. In these respects good results are hoped for from the
Commission which the Union Government is reported to be
sending to Australia and New Zealand for the purpose of study-
ing the methods of meat production and preparation followed
in those countries. It should be realised by shippers that
although high prices were secured in this market for the small
consignments which came to hand, beef of the quality recently
shipped from South Africa would not be very acceptable here
under normal conditions.

“ South America.—The total export of frozen and chilled
meat from the various South American Republics in 1917.
amounted to 540,000 tons, as compared with 528,500 tons in
1916, and 471,250 tons in 1915. With the exception of the
Argentine Republic, all the exporting countries increased their
output. :

“ Argentine Republic—The weather of 1917 was generally
favourable for live-stock, especially in the Province of Buenos
Aires, which produces 80/90 per cent of the beef exported ;
the animals improved greatly in condition, and were in plenti-

THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE 13

ful supply throughout. The results of the live-stock census
taken in 1914 have only recently been published, and reveal
a serious reduction as compared with the official ‘ estimates ’
issued from time to time. Cattle were returned at 25,866,763
head, and sheep at 43,225,452 head, as against 29,116,625
cattle, and 67,211,754 sheep at the previous census taken in
1908. ‘These decreases are somewhat disconcerting, but for-
tunately the causes which provoked them, viz. the great
droughts of 1911, 1912 and 1913 have disappeared ; and the
favourable seasons of the past few years appear to have effected
a quick recovery in the number and quality of the live-stock
of the country, particularly in the case of cattle. This view
is borne out by an official census taken in the Province of
Buenos Aires (the principal centre of the cattle-raising indus-
try) in 1916, which recorded an increase in cattle of nearly
25 per cent, the figures being 11,336,513 head in 1916, as
against 9,090,536 head in 1914. It is generally reckoned that
the number of cattle in the Argentine Republic is now about
29,000,000 head, while sheep are estimated to number about
55,000,000 head.

“The operations of the freezing works were limited by the
amount of refrigerated tonnage available, and in some cases
the work was interfered with by strikes, with the result that
the year’s shipments of frozen and chilled meat, amounting to
377,430 tons, fell short of the previous year’s total of 436,400
tons by 13-5 per cent. Four-fifths of the exports were sold to
the Allied Governments for Army consumption, the remainder
being reserved for the civilian trade in the United Kingdom.

“Pastoral prospects are now brighter than they have been
for several years past ; and, apart from any deficiency in re-
frigerated tonnage, a much increased export in 1918 should
be assured. An export tax, which comes into operation as
from lst January, 1918, introduces a new element of uncer-
tainty into the market ; but the tax is likely to be borne by
the seller and not by the ultimate buyer, so long as prices are
controlled on this side of the world.

* Uruguay.—The number of cattle in 1916 was estimated at
7,802,000, as against 8,192,600 in 1908, while sheep declined
from 26,286,000 to about 11,473,000 head. These decreases

14 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

are attributed to climatic conditions, the severe drought of
1915-16 causing many deaths. Some recovery was, how-
ever, effected last year as a result of the more favourable
season,

“Shipments from the two freezing works at Monte Video
amounted to 72,250 tons, as compared with 43,900 tons in
1916. With the important new freezing works erected by the
Morris Beef Co. at Monte Video in operation, some further
increase in exports is looked for in 1918.

* Brazil—The export trade from Brazil has expanded in a
remarkable manner, and that country bids fair soon to become
one of the most important sources of meat supply. In 1915,
the first year of trading, the exports were 8000 tons; in the
following year they increased to 33,130 tons; while last year
66,450 tons of beef were shipped—chiefly to the Continent, for
the Italian and French Armies. The beef is small and very
suitable for these countries, though it would hardly be big
enough for the best trade in this market. There are now four
freezing establishments in Brazil, with several others in course
of construction or in contemplation ; and everything points to
there being a further expansion in exports during the coming
year. The number of cattle in Brazil is estimated at 30,000,000
head, the bulk of which, however, are still of somewhat poor
quality.

“ Patagonia.—The whole output of mutton and lamb from
the Patagonian freezing works in 1917 was purchased by the
British Government. The quality proved to be quite satis-
factory. The mutton was reserved for Army use, but small
quantities of lamb were released from time to time for sale to
the public through the usual channels. Shipments during the
year amounted to 18,700 tons, as compared with 11,986 tons
in 1916, and 7863 tons in 1915.

“ United States —The latest returns published by the United
States Bureau of Statistics in January, 1918, estimate the
number of cattle at present in that country at 66,830,000 head,
an increase of 3,100,000 (or 4:9 per cent) over the previous
year’s total of 63,700,000 head, and 18-2 per cent more than
the low-water mark in 1913, when only 56,527,000 head were

recorded. Sheep were returned at 48,900,000 head, as com-.

2? Tonys hn aed

fa CR nak PERT IRE 15

pared with 48,50:.000 at wc eid. &: The figures in
respect of cattle indicate that steaay rogress is being made
in replenishing the herds of the United States, which had suf-
fered a steady and serious decline for several years prior to
the war.

“Exports of refrigerated meat showed further expansion
during the year, and amounted in aggregate to 95,430 tons, of
which 56,000 tons were shipped to the United Kingdom, 22,350
tons to the Continent, and 17,080 tons railed to Canada (pre-
sumably for shipment to Europe) as compared with 80,940
tons in 1916, of which 41,820 tons came to the United Kingdom,
and 39,120 tons went to the Continent. So recently: as in 1913
the total export was only 437 tons.

“In view of the comparative proximity of the United States
to this country, and its active participation in the war, an in-
creased export of meat may be expected a that quarter
during the coming year. —

PROSPECTS

“The opinion is held almost universally that after the war
there will be a scramble amongst all the big consuming coun-
tries of the world and some of the smaller nations which have
not previously been importers of meat, for a share in the world’s
exportable surplus. High prices are anticipated as a conse-
quence of the keen competition to be looked for under such
circumstances ; and fears are freely expressed that the avail-
able supplies will fall far short of the requirements of a Conti-
nent which for some years has been reduced to very modest
rations under the stress of war.

“The outlook for supplies is, however, more than hopeful ;
plenty is almost assured. The producing countries of the world
in Australasia, South America, North America and also South
Africa are being favoured with good seasons as a rule, they are
all well supplied with refrigerating plant, and stock is nowhere
scarce. The only problem remaining to be solved is transport,
and even that is not by any means unsatisfactory. The ton-
nage of refrigerated steamers now in existence under the British
flag is as large as at the outbreak of war; and new shipping
lines have been started in France and Italy which bring the

16 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

world’s aggregate of refrigerated tonnage into an exceptionally
strong position. If only the available means of transport be
utilised to their full capacity for this their main purpose, there
can be little doubt but that the most pressing prospective
demands will not go unsatisfied for want of the meat nor for
lack of ships to bring it to Europe.”

CHAMPION HEREFORD HEIFER, CLIVE IRIs 3RD, ENGLISH
RoyaL SHow. EXHIBITED BY MR. F, Bippy

The following statistical tables are herewith produced from
Messrs. Weddel and Co.’s Annual Review.

—

THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE 17

I.—Table showing the quantity of Frozen Mutton and Lamb
(in carcases) imported into the United Kingdom since the trade
commenced.

&r—Falkland Islands.

o—Orange River Colony additional 40.

New South Other
Australia, Zealand. America. Countries. | Totals

400 — — — 400 C/es

Pas = — — M2 ee

57,256 8,839 == | = 66,095 ,,

63,733 | 120,893 17,165 =— 201,791 ,,

111,745 412,349 108,823 | — 632,917 ,,

95,051 492,269 190,571 | 777,891 ,,

66,960 655,888 434,699 30,000F 1,187,547 ,,

88,811 766,417 641,866 45,552F 1,542,646 ,,

112,214 939,231 924,003 — 1,975,448 ,,

86,547 1,068,286 1,009,936 — 2,164,769 ,,

207,984 1,533,393 1,196,531 | 10,168F 2,948,076 ,,

334,684 1,894,105 eS 7 18,897F 3,358,823 ,,

504,738 1.539,605 1,247,861 17,818F os OO 22s

636,917 1,857,598 STS 120 16,425F 3,884,663 ,,

939,360 1,958,259 1,414,815 11,675F 4,324,109 ,,
1,005,503 2,412,331 1,615,795 | 19,438F 5,053,067 ,,

11,643,243 2,211,895 1,792 280 — 5,647,418 ,
1,407.417 2,703,845 2,121,471 — 23245733055
1,248,653 2,784,101 2.397,337 — 6,430,091 ,,
1,204,601 3,250.100 2,414,718 — 6,869,419 ,,

943,924 3,157,060 2,332,837 —= 6,433,821 .,
1,226,558 3,234,119 2,634,105 | == 7,094,782 ,,

724,297 3,668,061 2,827,496 | —vs| 7,219,854 ,,

478,037 4,583,760 SSAs7, 6) —NA| “8,180,234 .,

450,323 3,885,231 2,937,701 — | 17,273,255 ,,
1,368,438 3,704,566 3,203,210 — | SFT Gar

1906 1,732,328 4,148,288 2,919,276 == 8,799,892 ,,
1907 2,337,931 4,797,367 3,015,229 — LO VaO;b 2795;
1908 1,831,246 4,234,158 3,586,014 — 9,651,418 ,,
1909 2,678,838 5,035,103 3,300.21 1 NO lel OGtelica =
1910 | 4,219,808 5,407,474 Ssa0aso2 = 12,981,044 ,,

|

1911 3,612,279 5,222,495 4,125,609 = 12,960,383 ,,
1912 2,883,479 | 5,495,291 3,630,395 = 12,009,165 ,,
1913 4,442,517 | 5,673,624 2,820,024 ~ — 12,936,165 ,,
1914 3,722,830 | 6,181,184 2,884,825 — 12,788,839 ,,
1915 3,582,911 6,494,197 2,111,596 | 2,657 L219 Sole
1916 | 671,888 5,407,222 2,311,451 | SiO Sao 7136,;
1917 1,196,140 2,873,878 1,748,750 | 19,227 5,837,995 ,,
1918 38,578 2,830,712 1,601,107 | 459 4,470,856 ,,
Totals| 47.975,442 (112,643,194 74,527,766 | 274,491 1935,420,893 $3

u s—United States additional 49,924 (chilled).
wn A—North America additional 53,577 (chilled). N—WNatal additional 189.

THE WORLD’S .MEAT FUTURE

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19

THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

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THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE 21

TRADE AND EMPIRE

There has been issued recently by Messrs. W. Weddel & Co.
a valuable “Memorandum on the Imported Meat Trade
(frozen and refrigerated) of the United Kingdom, with Sug-
gestions for Fostering Production within the Empire.” This
communication fixes very pointedly upon the extent and
dangers of foreign penetration. It goes so far as to
state that the powerful group of American operators in
the British import trade have secured a stronger position,
while their British competitors have become relatively less
strong, largely owing to the action of the British Government.
The following have been the main factors in producing that
result, viz. :—

(a) Placing a large proportion of the orders for army re-
quirements in the hands of these American opera-
tors ;

(6) Commandeering and controlling Australian and New
Zealand supplies, which formed the backbone of the
British traders’ business ;

(c) Permitting South American houses, chiefly American,
to import considerable quantities of frozen meat for
civil use, while preventing New Zealand and Aus-
tralian houses from doing the same thing ; and

(d) (thereby) Destroying the productive and distributing
organisations of British firms, while building up
those of their American competitors.

In 1913 the world’s output of frozen and refrigerated meat
was 40 per cent British and 60 per cent foreign. In 1916 it
was 31 per cent British and 69 per cent foreign.

Constructive policy is, of course, necessary for the future,
and the memorandum devotes some space to recommenda-
tions for avoiding the dangers of foreign penetration in this
trade, and making the Empire self-supporting. It asks a ques-
tion: “‘Can Australasia, Canada, and South Africa make up
the deficiency from their large but not fully developed stocks ?”

22 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

That is the crucial question. The reply must be: “ Not at
present, but we believe that in a few years’ time, with proper
encouragement from the Home and Overseas Governments
concerned, they could.”

As to remedies, we read: “First of all, it is necessary to
interest the Home Government sufficiently to elicit from them
some definite guarantee against the most favoured treatment,
active or passive, being accorded to foreign producers, also a

SuHorTHoRN Cow AND Buti CALF, Roya Farm, WINDsor, ENGLAND

definite declaration in favour of encouraging Empire pro-
duction.

‘Meat required for feeding our troops, both now and in
time of peace, should be drawn, firstly, from Empire sources
so far as these will permit ; secondly, from British suppliers
of foreign-grown meat ; and only lastly from foreign suppliers.
Even if relatively full prices were paid for such Empire supplies
as might be available for this purpose, no commercial treaties
would appear to be violated, while the production would be
fostered in the Dominions, The remainder of the meat pro-

THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE 23

duced there would come forward, as hitherto, for sale in the
open market on shippers’ account.

“If the Government were in this way to guarantee these
army orders at fair prices fixed up year by year for five or
seven years (or so long as the grain guarantees continue) fresh
supplies of meat to compensate for the prospective Home
shortage would doubtless be assured by the end of that
period.

“The Empire-grown meat taken over by the Government
would be limited to the army’s requirements, so that in normal
times the total army supply would be produced within the
Empire, and the lines laid down for a speedy expansion of
these supplies in any sudden emergency.

“ The proposal might involve the making of special contract
arrangements between the British Government and the Govern-
ments of the overseas Dominions, each colonial Government
taking steps to distribute its orders amongst the various estab-
lishments within its territory, and to regulate and encourage
the production of meat suitable for these contracts. The pre-
servation of freedom of action in respect of all meat not included
in such army contract would be an essential part of the scheme,
if it is to appeal to British independence of character.”

_ Complementary measures include :—

(a) Systematised improvement in the quality of stock in
accordance with the needs of the British and other
European markets ;

(6) Combination between producers and shippers, enabling
long contracts to be entered into ;

(c) Standardised grading ;

(dq) Regularity of sailings ;

(e) Concentration in selling ;

(f) Pooling of shipping, financing, and insuring facilities.

The memorandum concludes that the presence of the
American Trust in Australia and New Zealand is a source of

24 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

weakness in any effort to establish the trade on Empire lines
by private enterprise.

“The problems raised thereby can only be dealt with by
each overseas State separately, but no satisfactory start can
be made in that direction until the principle is definitely
adopted by Great Britain, that foreign trading in the food of
her people must be eliminated in favour of British trading.”

CHAMPION HEREFORD BULL, GAINSBOROUGH, ENGLISH
Roya SHow, 1915. Exuipirep py Mr. 8, Roxprnson

Ah

ds

be

VIIVULSAY ‘VIMOLOIA NI NVQ V LV FILLYO

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AUSTRALIA

At the last census in Australia there were 10,500,000 cattle
and 80,000,000 sheep, and in 1891 there were 11,522,000 cattle
and 103,260,000 sheep, but droughts, tick, red water, and
' harassing legislation have brought the numbers down to the
lower level. It may be taken, however, for granted that,
given the State politicians do not persist in their antagonism
to the stock-owners, the number of stock in Australia can easily
be increased very largely. In the case of cattle this is particu-
larly so, because not many men are required to handle a cattle
‘station, whereas the amount of labour required on a sheep
property is large.

Australia is a vast country, with magnificent grasses for
stock, and, with a good supply of labour, would be hard to beat
by any country in the world. The State ownership of railways
is a drawback, however, as under this system, unless continual
British loans are forthcoming, railway enterprise in opening
up new country is stagnant. Again, democratic governments
never think of constructing railways unless there are sufficient
votes along the proposed line to encourage them to do so. *Tis
votes that count all the time under State ownership of railways.
Nearly £500,000 per annum is given the highly paid railway
and tramway employees in New South Wales alone in the shape
of free passes and concessions. This is passed on to the pro-
ducer in higher freights. Another drawback is that it is almost
impossible to get Government employees to take care of live-
stock, and they consequently depreciate enormously between
their fattening grounds and the meat works on the sea-board.
The Australian railways are years behind the times in the
matter of refrigerated wagons, and to all appearance nothing
will wake them to the necessity of equipping their systems
with means of bringing meat down to the sea-board dead rather
than alive, also to the importance of making country life more

27

28 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

pleasant by transferring perishable produce to the outback
towns in refrigerated wagons as is done in Canada and
America.

With the continued improvements in refrigerating machinery
the chances of the chilled beef trade between Australia and the
United Kingdom become more promising.

The chilled beef industry stimulates the bringing to a high
degree of excellence the cattle of the country from which the

Mr, Jonny McMaster’s Stup SHorTHORN Cow, GOLDEN DUCHESS,
BrinntA Downs, New SourH WALES

shipments are made, for the primest beef is required for chilled
exports. Chilled beef enters a high-class retail trade, where
the demand is more regular and prices higher than for frozen
beef. The chilling process does far more justice to good meat
than does freezing, and it is difficult to avoid holding the view
that the great bulk of the supplies of refrigerated beef for
Great Britain in the future will ultimately be carried at a
chilling temperature.

The largest amount of frozen meat ever sent away from
Australia was in 1914-15. In that year five million carcases

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JI6L “isapay ‘MONG ANVASIUG “Tad IVAOY ISNAHGNAT “11AG NUOHLYOHS NOIdNVH/)

AUSTRALIA 31

of mutton and lamb and over two million quarters of beef
were exported ; it will be many years before that record is
beaten.

The constantly recurring labour troubles are alone sufficient
to handicap the industry. The big meat works of Queensland.
whence almost all the beef is exported, are continually
brought to a standstill by the despicable behaviour of the
unionists—I was going to say “the workers,” but that is a

RESERVE CHAMPION ABERDEEN ANGUS Cow, ScoTTISH QUEEN, BRISBANE
SHOW, QUEENSLAND
Exhibited by Mr. G. C. Clark

misnomer, they are not workers, and have little or no inten-
tion of being so. Backed up in all their demands by the present
Government in that State, they imagine they have only to go
far enough and the private companies will drop out and the
Government will take over the works. Then when that comes
about they believe they can loaf as much as they like, receive
fictitious wages, and the loss will be made good by taxation
and British loans. Such is the pitiable condition to-day of
one of the finest and largest sources of a big beef supply,
and, therefore, one is not at all sanguine of any immediate big

32 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

development from Queensland in the beef line. A normal
export of from one and a half to two million quarters may
be looked for at present and in the near future, but a big
change in “ Labour’s”’ attitude must take place before any
large increase can be expected. Queensland cattle kill at
about an average of 640 lbs. dead weight at the meat
works.

Great developments should take place in Western Australia
in regard to cattle supply. There is an enormous area of ex-
cellent cattle country, and with freezing works at Wyndham
and other ports, a big supply of frozen beef may be depended
upon. This supply will be a fortnight nearer the world’s
markets than that of the Eastern sea-board, and necessarily
the freight should be lower. The whole issue depends on the
Government ; with just legislation, security of tenure, and
decent labour there is nothing to prevent Western Australia
rivalling, and even beating, Queensland in her beef output.
As regards mutton—sheep and lambs—everything points to a
larger supply than formerly throughout the Commonwealth.

Cross breeding has been gone into very extensively, and many

men are now breeding for export sheep and lambs. Under
decent conditions and with a Government with brains suffi-
cient to encourage the men on the land to increase and multi-
ply their flocks and herds, Australia alone should easily be
able to supply Great Britain with all the mutton she may re-
quire. Recently the Hon. D. J. Gordon, of Adelaide, read a
paper before an Interstate conference of meat exporters in
Sydney on the Live-Stock Industry of Australia. This was
reprinted in The Pastoral Review, and as it gives the views of
breeders, I reproduce it here with confidence :—

CAUSES OF SHORTAGE IN LIvE-STOCK AND SUGGESTED
REMEDIES

There have been many contributory factors to the want of
vitality in Australia’s leading industry, and the serious shortage
in live-stock as disclosed in the latest statistics. With a view
to investigating the causes I sent circulars to a number of
leading stock-owners, and asked for replies to the following

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‘ord ‘sotuee Uyor ‘aT Aq poqqryxe pue “ora ‘Uos}Ioqoy pur suosivg ‘sissoyy Aq porg ‘syzWou g suvok Z% posy

AUSTRALIA 35

questions. The summary of the replies received is of special
importance, since it represents the views expressed by men of
experience who are in the business :—

1. What are the main causes of the shortage of sheep and
cattle in Australia ?

Droughts at intervals, and the exceptionally bad season of
1914. General want of confidence in trend of legislation, over-
stocking, and destruction of natural herbage. Breaking up
large estates and dispersal of flocks and herds—often stud
sheep and cattle. Failure of small settlers to keep stock.
Inadequate transport facilities, and neglect of State-owned
railway managers to provide facilities similar to Argentina,
United States, and Canada. Big saving of stock would be
possible even in worst droughts if railways were adequate and
the management responsive. Increasing burdens of taxation
and general political vendetta against live-stock industry.
Demands of labour unions and harassing awards, causing in-
crease in cost of production and difficulty of working runs.
Rabbits and wild dogs.

(The consensus of opinion puts drought first, then dispersal
of big flocks to meet demand of closer settlement, third, legis-
lation and taxation, and then insufficient railway systems.)

2. What are the best methods to adopt to build up the flocks
and herds ?

A political truce and fair treatment to stock-owners. Link
up railway systems and improve same. Abolish breaks of
gauge and make the railways responsible for damage to stock.
Educate small settlers to keep sheep and cattle. Encourage
stud breeders. Remove embargoes and abolish restrictive
legislation, which prevents stock passing from State to State.
Cultivate grasses and fodder crops for stock and carry reserve
supplies against dry seasons. Offer every inducement to secure
occupation of outside country. Systematic campaign against
rabbits and wild dogs. Security of tenure. Increased water
supplies.

3. Is it possible to increase the live-stock beyond the highest
point yet reached in Australia, and if so, how ?

Not unless outside country and central and north Australia
can be opened up by railways and stocked. By farmers carry-

36 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

ing small flocks and a few head of cattle. One correspondent
advocates a “‘ campaign of education ” amongst small settlers,

(Several authorities doubt if the highest water-mark will be
reached for very many years owing to the dispersal of big flocks

and herds ; others state that irrigated lands along the Murray ~

and higher prices for meat will encourage breeding up.)

4. In what direction do you look for an expansion of the
pastoral industry ?

Several correspondents take the view that there is little

prospect of expansion in face of growing taxation, industrial |

unrest, rising wages, and inefficient labour. Others state that

any growth will depend upon successful occupation of central —

and northern Australia, growth of confidence, and removal of |

restrictions. If meat and wool prices remain relatively high
they may restore vitality to a languishing industry. One corre-
spondent says: ‘‘ The industry requires large reserves of capi-

tal, and men who can command capital are being driven out —

of the business.”’ Increased liberal land laws are advocated.
5. Can the sheep and cattle of Australia be improved on the
meat side, and if so, how ?

Introduction of better bulls from England, especially on §
“early maturing side,” is strongly advocated. Most corre-—

spondents contrast the prices paid for stud stock in England

by breeders in the Argentine Republic with the lack of enter- i

prise on the part of Australians in keeping up a standard.

(There is a consensus of opinion that both cattle and sheep —
can be improved on the meat side with all-round advantage. —

For export meat trade cross-breeding of sheep is recommended.)

6. What improvements do you recommend in the carriage —

of live-stock on the railways ?

Railway management in almost all the States is strongly
condemned. One well-informed correspondent, with excep-
tional experience, says: ‘‘The whole system of carriage of
stock on railways requires remodelling. State railways should
be made ‘Common Carriers,’ and be responsible. An expert

am te

ee

should be imported on behalf of all the States—preferably —
from Argentina—to revise the whole system. Stock should —
be watered on long-distance runs, and stock trains should run —
to schedule time.” Also, votes at General Elections should not —

AUSTRALIA 37

be allowed railway employees. They should elect their own
member to represent them. Other suggestions are: Quicker
transit, better trucks and loading, more care by engine drivers,
resting depots on long journeys for water and feed, stock trains
fitted with air brakes.

7. Can the pastoral industry be encouraged by better land
laws ; if so, in what direction ?

Security of tenure and full compensation for improvements.
Liberal land laws and reduction of taxation for purely stock
country, and exemption from Federal land tax of outside
leases.

8. Do you look for increase in sheep and cattle from Murray
River reclaimed lands, and from closer settlement areas ?

Only to limited extent unless prices warrant intense culture
and hand feeding.

9. Do the cattle and sheep of Australia compare favourably
on the meat side with the live-stock of other meat-exporting
countries ?

One correspondent who has visited Argentina writes : “ The
cattle do not compare favourably. The average dead weight
beast from Queensland is much less than the Argentine aver-
age.” A gentleman of many years’ practical experience in the
meat trade of South America says: “ Argentine breeders are
always importing stud stock to keep up the standard. There
is room for improvement in Australian cattle and better
methods of droving—less stockwhip and rough handling—and
better methods of dressing are essential in respect to mutton
and beef intended for export. Australian sheep are splendid,
especially Merinos, on the wool side, but bigger carcases are
needed for export.”

The following diagrams show in graph form the rise and
fall of meat production in Australia during the last halt
century :—

38 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

No. IN
ILLIONS

CATTLE
85 90 °95 1900 05 °10 *15 °16 717

*80 °

1860 “65 °70 ‘75 18

SH
Seema AT GneEee

oe as
CER
sre] | | LE eae

No. IN SHEEP
MILLIONG Bete: er oe ae op SO og he re j
1860 °65 °70 °75 °80 °85 “90 °95 1900 05 7°10 15 716 717 718

| A
Ne
a

AUSTRALIA 39

A leading breeder with experience of the “inside” and
“ outside’ country, who is specially competent to take a
broad view of the general situation, writes: ‘‘ After looking
into your questions I think it all comes back to the lack of
confidence that has been firmly established in the minds of
those who hold land of any description that the trend of legis-
lation is to ‘kill’ rather than foster the development of the
pastoral industry. We are prepared to face droughts, dingoes.
and rabbits, as we know something about them, and how
best to fight them, and we have confidence in ourselves,
but they are as nothing compared with the uncertainty
of land legislation. The man with capital who would be
prepared to face all the risks and develop and improve
his holding stands down and gives \ ay to the speculator,
who only holds to get out at the first favourable opportunity.
This class of pastoralist is no good for developing country or
improving stock. The State could do better without him.
The practical man who has the means looks to the future, and
providing he could feel confident of being undisturbed by his
landlord, would be ready to tackle all the other odds against
him. Rabbits, of course, have killed much or nearly all the
drought-resisting stock fodders or plants, and a great portion
of southern pastoral Australia will never again be capable of
carrying the same quantity of stock. There is much of Aus-
tralia that can be settled and developed, but legislation must
restore confidence, which has been so sadly shaken that I
question whether we will ever again see private enterprise as
enthusiastic as in the past. Certainly not till railways are
extended, with branch feeders, will the out-back country be
taken up and settled. The stud-breeder in the inside country
and the pastoralist out-back can successfully fight and with-
stand droughts and keep vermin within bounds, but the legis-
lator can kill the freeholder and the Crown lessee by a stroke
of the legislative pen. And he is doing it, and that spells
national disaster.”

40 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

CLIMATIC CONTROL OF PRODUCTION

Mr. Griffith Taylor, B.Sc., B.E. (Physiographer to the Com-
monwealth Meteorological Bureau), recently issued a pamphlet
under the title ““ The Climatic Control of Australian Produc-
tion.” He has made “‘an attempt to gauge the potential
wealth of the Commonwealth,” and certainly that is one of
the first steps to take to promote rural expansion.

It would appear from Mr. Taylor’s scientific deductions that
something more than natural climatic conditions is required to
enable the Commonwealth to carry with safety an increasing
number of cattle and sheep. The locking of the rivers, the
extension of irrigation, a greater use of artesian water supplies,
the cultivation of grasses and fodder crops will in time increase
the carrying capacity of the country.’ In this connection, it is
worthy of note that during the period that New Zealand was
developing its meat export trade, and the population was
growing, live-stock steadily increased in numbers. Up to the
present time Australian live-stock owners have given little
attention to the growing of feed supplies, while stall feeding in
shelter sheds, though shown by experiments to be profitable,
is not practised to any appreciable extent, for the reason that
decent labour which will give a fair day’s work for a fair day’s
wage is unprocurable. It was Charles Dickens who once
remarked at an agricultural dinner that “the field which paid
vhe farmer best to cultivate was the one within the ring fence
of his own skull.” That statement contains a more important
truth to-day than it did in the time of the great novelist.
Science is conspicuously aiding the tiller of the soil who places
himself in a position to be assisted. Improved ocean transit
has brought the producer in Australia and the consumer in
the centres of population in Europe closer together, and the
refrigerating chamber is opening up almost unlimited oppor-
tunities for the expansion of trade. The remarkable success
which attended experiments made in New Zealand in the
eighties in the shipment to England of frozen meat compelled
Australian breeders to look askance at the “ boiling-down ”
works which were employed for the purpose of dealing with

VITVULSAY ISH ‘NVOVYUVENV(] ‘ALVIST OOUHLVA SLUTAOY "AQ “JT “UT NO su00davg AHL 10 IANO

a |

AUSTRALIA 43

surplus stock in times of plenty, and relieving the pressure
when droughts came. With a threatened scarcity of feed and
water before them, pastoralists were sometimes forced to sac-
rifice their stock in a flooded market. Sheep used to be killed
for the sake of the skins, and the carcases either left to
rot on the ground or were sold for a few pence per head to the
owner of the nearest boiling-down works and turned into

CHAMPION ABERDEEN ANGUS BuLL, HEATHER DUKE, AT
BRISBANE SHow, Q., 1918

Exhibited by Mr. J. McIntosh

tallow. The advent of the freezing process and the refrigerat-

ing chamber in steamers altered all this, and the day of the
? v

** boiling-down ” works passed away never to return.

RECONSTRUCTION AND EXPANSION

A critical period has been reached in the business of raising
live-stock and in the export of meat, and the vital question is :
How can the drift be checked and the industry placed upon a
firm foundation? The foregoing review and opinions ex-
pressed by practical men show clearly enough that while
climatic conditions impose distinct limitations, there are other

41 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

explanations for the stagnation in the industry and the want
of confidence which is causing owners to curtail operations,
and preventing others from taking up country and stocking it.

The pastoral occupation of the outside country is of funda-—

mental importance to Australia. It is the only way to develop
natural resources, people an empty continent, keep the fac-
tories of the Commonwealth open, and provide employment,
while checking the fatal preponderance of the metropolitan

RESERVE CHAMPION HEREFORD BULL, Sik HAMILTON,
3RISBANE SHow, Q., 1918

Exhibited by Mrs. Lumley Hill

population. Inno other way can waste places be made produc-
tive. By increased production alone will it be possible to meet
growing national and private obligations. Australian manu-
facturers depend wholly on home markets, and are not likely
to become exporters. They must look to the stock-owner,
grain-grower, and dairyman for orders, and similarly the earn-
ing power of State-owned railways and State-controlled har-
bours and ports will fluctuate with the varying fortunes of the
primary producers.

Is it too much, then, to ask that the Parliaments of the Com-
monwealth and States shall call a halt to their more or less

MOYY IANOGTATY Sv JO [[Nq wordueyD jo wep “eIpeqjsuy Jo Mog uordureygQ *(*O1A) qqaA\ “f “VW
a1O SUVAA F ‘HIG LANIUUGG sO SSHHON( MONATCNI'T

Se REMI
Ep

AUSTRALIA 47

relentless pursuit of the man on the land, and that wiser
counsels shall prevail to the end that methods may be em-
ployed to restore vitality to languishing rural industries ?
Australia should be able to provide a cheap meat supply for
its own people, and build up a larger and more prosperous
oversea trade in wool, meat, skins, and hides, but before this
can be accomplished the growing burden of taxation must be
lightened or better distributed, and the paramount importance
of the live-stock business generally recognised.

CHAMPION SHORTHORN Cow, CoORNFLOWER 2ND, BRISBANE
SHow, Q., 1918

Exhibited by the Lomax Pastoral Co,

A serious menace to which special attention deserves to be
drawn is the dispersal of high-class stud flocks and herds,
upon. which foundation stock-raising has been built and must
be maintained. Without that foundation there can be no
substantial growth. On the contrary, flocks and herds will
deteriorate. Some States are noted for a special type of sheep,
and it is from the pure studs that drafts are continually drawn
to maintain the great wool trade and the growing meat export
business. These “ types ”’ can only be produced and kept to
standard on good inside country, but the imperative demands

48 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

of two departments of taxation—Federal and State—make the
business of studbreeding a doubtful proposition. Instead of stud
flocks and herds increasing they are decreasing, and that factor
in relation to Australia’s hitherto leading industry can neither
be disputed nor discounted. It represents a danger-signal.

In some countries private railway companies offer reduced
rates for the carriage of stud animals as an encouragement to
breeding which will bring business to the railways. The State-

owned railways of Australia charge more for stud stock— —

sometimes as much as ten times more than ordinary rates !

In this and other respects there is much that railway mana- ~

gers could do to encourage live-stock raising. Owners and
agents are unanimous that stock trains should be fitted with
air brakes and run to schedule time, and that provision should
be made for watering animals on long-distance runs. State

Governments might well combine to send a first-class man ~

(not a Government official) on a world tour to inquire into
various systems of carrying live-stock, or import an expert to
revise our inadequate system. The pastoralist is the best
customer the railway departments have, and it will pay to
respond to his requirements and help him to extend his activi-
ties and send more produce over the railways.

The extension of railways into central and northern Aus-
tralia, the gradual elimination of varying gauges, conservation
of surface waters, and the multiplication of artesian bores are
Governmental activities calling for prompt attention as being
among the means of giving much-needed vitality to the live-
stock industry. There is also a distinct call for an educational
campaign, more particularly among small settlers, concerning
the advantages of keeping stock, the best breeds for given
localities, and the profits to be derived from feeding and
sheltering stock. The Pastoral Review is a handbook of
practical information for those stock-owners who read at all,
and the Australian farmer is fortunate to have such a
publication. Many, however, do not read anything at all,
and among this class a campaign is required. The -various
agricultural departments are singularly weak on the stock
side, and little is being done in an educational way to conduct
experiments or carry conviction to the small stock-owner,

ation = Tt

ANVISNaTAY) ‘VONIAVV], LV SMOOTIAG LVy

AUSTRALIA 51

Restore confidence among the men engaged in the industry,
and those who would willingly enter the business, and there
will be no hesitation in even rivalling the purchases of breeders
in the Argentine of high-class stud cattle in England, and the
introduction of strains that will improve sheep on the meat
side. It was the stud-breeder who added several pounds of
wool per fleece and produced a wool of unequalled quality, and
the same skill is available and waiting to be utilised on the meat

ReEservE CHAMPION SHorTHORN Buti, LyNpHURsT RoyAL Prer 111TH,
BRISBANE SHOW, ()UEENSLAND

Exhibited by Mr. C. E. McDougall

side. That there is the same pioneer spirit of adventure and
power of endurance available to make conquests in remote
parts of Australia has been proved beyond all doubt by young
Australians in the great war. Given the opportunity, they
will prove worthy sons of the men who have made Australia.
The stuff of which pioneers were made is still with us.

In the matter of taxation it must be admitted that a Federal
graduated land and income tax on the top of State and local
imposts represents a crushing burden to those engaged in
wool-growing and meat-raising. Specific cases have been given
to me where two-thirds of income goes in taxation! It has

52 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

taken the whole of the wool clip of one pastoralist for two years
in succession to meet the demands of the tax collector, and
stock had to be sold to meet working expenses. One correspon-
dent writes : ** Leaseholders are now taxed as well as the free-
holders, and the extraordinary assessments put on leaseholds
is reducing their values enormously. One leasehold of 248
miles, 120 miles from a railway, was assessed at the commence-
ment of a 42 years’ lease at £10,000 unimproved value. It

V5
-

a i da
Jo Me

L Ay a _ *
> >? ‘ ‘al
Re goin! Lai hs, Sc
US Sa ee 2 LS St

Srup SHorTHORN Butt BAarironr, CHAMPION AT SyDNEY Roya SHow, 1918

Purchased for 1700 guineas by Mr. John McMaster, Binnia Downs,
New South Wales

should not have been worth £1000; yet with 29 years to run
it has been assessed at £7790. Four ‘years ago £12,000 was
given for it, with 8000 sheep and nearly £5000 of improvements;
£3000 worth more of improvements were put on before the
assessment. Such assessments will make men hesitate to take
up leaseholds. Men will take big risks for fair dividends, but
when they are to be taxed heavily on returns made in good
years, and get no allowance in bad years, they are not likely to
put their money into industries which are so viciously attacked
by our Legislatures.”

There is not only the problem of reconstruetion to be faced,

ae

AUSTRALIA 58

but the greater problem of the expansion of the live-stock
industry. The practical question is how best to meet this
national obligation. It is not a political question—certainly
‘not a party one, since every section of the community will be
vitally affected by the fluctuating fortunes of rural producers.
It is an economic problem of first-class importance—a national
enterprise which transcends all political and other considera-
tions.

There are at least eight essentials before the live-stock in-
dustry of Australia can be reconstructed and vigorous growth

Reasonable
Legislation

an
moderate
Taxation

always Federal
tot

Interior, Laakisg

Encourage-
ment of Stud
Breeding.

Educational
Campaign

up
Systems

Extension
of Agricultural
Depts. to include
Stock and Feed-
ing Experi-
mente.

Increased Systematic
Transportation Campaign against
Facilities. Vermin

Importation
of High Class

Btock.

Provision
or

Lower

Rates for Long Removal of

Shipping Em-
bargoes against
Pastoral Pro-
ducts.

Better
Supervision of

Conserve

male Stock Improvements
it CK.

and Supervision
of

Vermin
Fences.

Stud Stock.
same.

made possible : (1) A better appreciation on the part of legis-
lators of the requirements of the industry and the difficulties
of successfully occupying the interior of the continent; (2)
special encouragement of stud-breeding ; (3) increasing trans-
portation facilities ; (4) revision of taxation and charges borne
by the industry in order to prevent an undue pressure causing
a decrease in production; (5) campaign of education to en-
courage small flocks and herds; (6) experiments in closer
settled areas in feeding ; (7) removal of shipping restrictions
and harassing regulations ; and (8) me methods to deal
with pests and vermin.

An attempt has been ane) in the accompanying diagram to

54 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

illustrate the scope of investigation and reform necessary to
place the industry on a practical and profitable basis.

All this means national organisation, and national organisa-
tion is only a convenient term for expressing the highest form
of State co-operation with individual initiative and intelligence
without the domination of either. We want, more than any-
thing else in Australia, on the economic side of life, a new era
of primary production, a new spirit of conquest, renewed en-
thusiasm, the creation of more wealth, so that the Common-

CHAMPION SHORTHORN BuLL, GrAND DUKE oF CLIFTON, BRISBANE
Snow, Q.,/1918

Exhibited by the Lomax Pastoral Co,

wealth may carry a larger population, and that there may be
national progress based upon better conditions and a standard
ot comfort greater than that of any other country. All this is
easy to accomplish, and in no direction can it all be made
possible in less time than by the systematic conquest of natural
resources—the promotion of rural industries, of which the
greatest and most profitable for the nation is that of wool-
growing and meat-raising for home requirements and unre-
stricted sale oversea.

It is by organisation—national and individual—Govern-

AUSTRALIA 55

mental activity in investigating, experimenting, and educat-
ing, so that the citizen shall be well equipped when coming
into daily grips with problems in field and factory and world-
wide competition—that the urgent call for efficiency, economy,
and human uplift can find adequate response. Economy in
production, saner methods of distribution, and only such legis-
lative contrel as will give a fair field to the mutual interests of
industrially employed capital and labour represent the corner-
stone of a true democracy. Before they can hope to people

CHAMPION HEREFORD BuLL, MAGNITUDE (IMP.), BRISBANE SHOW, Q., 1918
Exhibited by Messrs. Tindal and Son

their vast continent with a virile white race, Australians must
understand the fundamental economic factor of national safety
and progress, that it is production, and production only, that
creates wealth, pays wages, regulates prices, and fixes the
standard of living. The neglect of a country’s natural resources
is economic waste, and economic waste means public and
private loss and eventually national decay.

THE INDIAN ZEBU FOR AUSTRALIA

If it is possible to obtain the consent of the Federal Govern-
ment to their introduction, it is very probable that a large

56 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

consignment of Zebu bulls will be imported from India into
the Northern Territory.

The breed is tick-resistant, and will fatten practically where
our own stock would starve. In parts of the Northern Terri-
tory and the north-west, where our cattle suffer large losses
from disease and numerous insect pests, these Zebus would
thrive and prove a source of profit on thousands of acres of
country at present unoccupied. The illustration herewith
shows the fine type of cattle that results from the mating of

CHAMPION HEREFORD Cow, JEAN, BRISBANE SHOW, Q., 1918
Exhibited by Mr. J. Sparkes

the Zebu and the Shorthorn, and the following extract from a
ietter from Mr. William McDowall, Christmas Creek, Charters
Towers, Queensland, to the Royal Zoological and Acclimatisa-
tion Society of Victoria regarding a Zebu bull sent him by the
Society, is worth quoting :—

“The white bull I got from you is a very big beast now,
and very quiet; his calves are a year bigger than ordinary
cattle, eat dry grass in the heat of the day, and get and keep
fat where ordinary cattle die ; they seem to be immune to all
diseases ; we never wash or spray them for ticks, and we never
even see a fly or insect on the bull himself,”

AUSTRALIA 57

The best of these bulls are largely purchased for America,
where they are used with success, for grazing purposes, and
Americans would not use them, with the experience they have
had, if they did not pay them.

The Zebu-Shorthorn cross is immune from tick fever and tick-
conveyed diseases, and some interesting information on the
subject was recently contributed by Mr. A. Despeissis to the
Department of Agriculture in Western Australia. He said :—

“TI was collecting information regarding the purchase and
shipment to this State of heavy milking Maltese goats, and
while discussing the matter of ‘ Maltese fever,’ which these
animals are likely to carry, some interesting experiments, con-
sisting of crossing Zebu cattle (Bos indicus), popularly known
as ‘Brahmans,’ with ordinary cattle, were brought to my
notice. The object of these experiments was to ascertain
whether Zebus themselves or their crosses are immune from
‘tick fever,’ or “ piroplasmosis,’ which is very severe in portions
of Algeria.

“The fact which suggested the experiments was that Mada-
gascar, a French colony heavily stocked with humped-back
cattle (a strain of Zebu), was free from tick fever, although the
tick insects themselves abound there ; moreover, in the South
African colonies where the humped-back cattle are not bred,
European cattle are severely affected by ‘red water.’

“One permanent remedy, however, now seems to be sug-
gested as the result of the experiments referred to, i.e. the
infusion of Zebu blood into ordinary cattle subject to infection.
The attention of a landed proprietor near Bona having some
years ago been drawn to the fact that a couple of Zebus he
possessed and their crosses were always in good condition,
whilst the cattle around suffered greatly or died from the
attacks of cattle ticks, led to a careful investigation being made,
with the result that it was found that Zebus and their crosses
are not so susceptible to the attacks of cattle ticks, and
although the micro-parasites of the blood may occasionally be
seen on microscopical examination, no ill-effects follow.

“The secretion from the sebaceous glands of their skin has
a peculiar odour, which seems repugnant to insect life. The
hide, though it may be as thin as in European breeds of cattle,

58 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

appears to be much tougher ; the hair is quite short, and does
not provide favourable shelter for the development of ticks.”
This cross seems to be to the ox what the mule is to the
horse; it partakes of the qualities of both parents, but, how-
ever, remains fertile. To the ox it owes its succulent flesh
and humpless back ; to the Zebu the smaller bone and quick
growth, greater activity, hardiness, and resistance to tropical
diseases. The Zebu is a tropical ox, and resists there where it
has been proved other cattle are carried away by disease. It

THE ZEBU-SHORTHORN CROSS

is not affected either by the damp heat or by prolonged drought,
which favour such diseases as piroplasmosis, but it cannot
stand too much cold. It will prove a useful animal for our
tropics, while in milder climates it is not required.

A description of one of the three Zebu-Shorthorn cross raised.
by Mr. W. McKenzie Grant, near Dongarra, W.A., is interest-
ing. The cattle were sired by a Derrimut Shorthorn bull, the
dam being a Brahman cow, a little hump-backed animal
weighing 350 lbs. or so dressed, and standing eight or nine
hands, and which had for many years occupied an exhibit pen
at the Zoological Gardens, South Perth. The respective live
weights of the trio were as follows ; 2240 lbs. (six years old),

AUSTRALIA 59

1840 lbs. (five years old), and 1750 Ibs. (four years old). They
were very quiet. The dressed weight of the two smallest was
1036 and 1026 lbs. respectively, that of the heaviest 1270 lbs. ;
the hides about 90 lbs. green. The beef the butchers pro-
nounced Al; 2 to 3 in. of fat all over the carcase ; not very
much kidney and caul fat.

“T have purposely dilated on this important discovery,”
says Mr. Despeissis, “‘ which affects the 600,000 head of cattle
we have in the north and north-west, and particularly the
half a million head known to be already in the Kimberleys.
Indeed, this matter is one which affects the whole of the
Australian tropics, where the cattle tick decimates the herds.

“Tf this method of combating the plague is found successful
(and it appears to have been in countries such as Brazil and
Uruguay), its value to Australia would be enormous.”

FIxInc PRICES

In these days of fixing prices, it is natural that one should
turn to history to see if similar experiments have been tried in
the past, and how they succeeded.

In the year 1815, the British Government, with a view to
encouraging agriculture, passed a law and fixed the price of
wheat at 80/- a quarter. The law was operative only for a
short time, when, in spite of the penalty imposed, wheat was
bought and sold at 38/- a quarter, and the statute became a
dead letter. A little further back, in the years of the French
Revolution, price fixing was the order of the day, and very
heavy penalties were imposed on those who failed to bring
their produce to market and offer it publicly at the price fixed.
The price of wheat was fixed, the price of oats, and the prices
of many other things. Instead of having the effect desired, it
had the opposite. The low prices fixed caused production to
fall off in all directions, and products, especially wheat, became
scarcer and scarcer, until bread was almost unprocurable.
Every night, long before daylight, crowds gathered at the
bakers’ shops, and when daylight came fought for the few
loaves offering. Children were starving on the highways, and
it was a common sight to see women with children in their

60 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

arms fighting for a crust. The peasants said they would sooner
eat their oats themselves than sell them at the price fixed by
the Government. The law fixing prices was called the law of |
the maximum. Professor Sybel, in his famous history of the
Revolution, says: “There was great distress all through
France owing to the Government putting a fixed price on
corn” (wheat). ‘‘ Owing to the law of the maximum, all goods
began to avoid the market.”’ “‘ The law of the maximum first
frightened the goods from the market and then paralysed
production.” ‘‘ The law of the maximum had the effect of
impeding trade and preventing the regular supply of goods to
the people.” Then the professor goes on to say: “The case |
was not so bad in most of the departments with regard to
meat, as with bread, because the law of the maximum had for-
got to fix a tariff for live cattle, and the peasants had, there- |
fore, slaughtered as few beasts as possible in Robespierre’s time,
and now brought to market and sold as much meat as was
wanted at good prices.” “There ‘was plenty of meat obtain-
able, because the law of the maximum did not apply to cattle.”
Less than five years of this interference with trade on the part
of the Government brought the people to such a state of desti- —
tution and misery that at last they awoke to the folly of trying
to override natural economic laws ; and the National, Assembly
swept the whole of this legislation from the statute book.
Then business began immediately to revive. The celebrated
economist, Henry Dunning Macleod, in dealing with this ques-
tion, says: ‘‘ Does not everyone know that a high price of
corn is the way to attract corn where it is deficient, and a low
price the way to repel it from where it is already too abun-
dant?” Then he goes on to say: “There is a period during
which sales are difficult or impracticable ; when the prices are
at the maximum the buyer refuses to submit to them; and
when they are at a minimum the seller refuses to submit to
them.” Macleod declares that supply and demand are the
cause of value. This, of course, is where there is free competi-
tion. - |
The Federal Government will do well to pause before at-
tempting to fix arbitrary prices for beef and mutton. There
are few farmers who do not combine grazing to some extent

AUSTRALIA 61

with agriculture, and who in bad seasons for wheat do not
rely on their live-stock to pull them through. This question
deeply affects the two great primary industries of the country.
The graziers and farmers of Australia will have to bear the
greater part of taxation resultant from the war. In addition,
they have their periodical losses through droughts, and are
having it badly in the Eastern Division at the present time.
The higher prices they are getting for their fat-stock now will
not be all loss to the consumer. The owners of live-stock will
pay a correspondingly greater amount of taxation, which
will relieve other sections of the community to that extent.
The fact that fat-stock have reached such high prices must act,
and is acting as a powerful stimulant to stock-owners to make
every possible effort to increase their flocks and herds. When
sheep and cattle were cheaper, stock-owners sent large numbers
of their female stock to market; not so now. Everyone is
hanging on to his female stock with a view to increasing the
numbers as fast as possible. This is assuredly one of the causes
for the high prices obtaining ; but it is only temporary. It is
a fixed and immutable economic law that the dearer any pro-
duct is the greater will be the effort to produce it. For in-
stance, let the price of wheat be 6/— per bushel, and the indus-
try will bound ahead ; but let the price be 3/— per bushel, and
the industry will (in the words of Lord Macaulay) droop and
wither like a plant in an uncongenial air. The most powerful
stimulant to production is gain.

CATTLE PROSPECTS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Western Australia is so big a country, and subject to so many
differing conditions, that any general description of the cattle
industry is impossible ; the only way to gain a clear under-
standing of the position is to take the divisions of the State
separately.

When statistics were published at the end of 1917, the
State possessed 958,484 cattle, as compared with 863,930 at
the end of 1916, and 754,377 in 1907. There had then been
an apparent steady increase during the previous ten years, but
this increase was almost wholly in the Kimberley division, which

62 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

lies in the extreme north of the State; and, as a matter of
fact, the main North-west division, which has been discarding
cattle for sheep for many years, had gone back in its numbers.

Kimberley is the cattle end of the country, as will be shown
by the following table :—

Cattle at
Statistical Division. 31st Dec., 1917.

East Kimberley i 7 <0 ro .. 265,604
West Kimberley Ais ss iF a .. 408,366
North-west .. Mt ys as ef .» OL ONT,
Gascoyne i. a aA ay, os 49,890
Murchison and Goldfield .. e. i cs) Sp, Oee
Agricultural Areas .. ac Bs ie .. 99,358

958,484

The figures show that East and West Kimberley now possess
673,970 cattle, or more than two-thirds of the herds of the |
State. The growth in Kimberley has been rapid, as at the
end of 1907 the totals were 463,735 for the two Kimberleys,
so that the increase in the ten-year period has been roughly
50 per cent.

Kimberley has been one of the most neglected corners of
the earth. Blest with magnificent soil and noble rivers, it has
been cursed by misgovernment and neglect. When freezing
works and canning plants years ago might have given the
country a market, cleaned up all the aged cattle, and en-
couraged the lessees to open out the country, the Kimberley
squatters have only been able to market some 25,000. cattle
annually, by shipment to. Fremantle, six days’ steam south-
wards, or to occasionally get rid of a few thousand store
bullocks to Queensland.

The absence of markets has been pronounced, and has for
many years induced a condition of things closely akin to stag-
nation. Owners have kept down their breeding, as it was no
use going to the expense of improving the back country and
carrying more cattle till the runs earned more money than a
bare subsistence from the infrequent sales. And consequently
the country has never really been used, developed, or stocked.
All that the lessees have done, up to the present, is to run the
frontages of the rivers and leave development till later on.
The cattle seldom work back more than seven miles from the |

AUSTRALIA 63

rivers, and all the rest of the occupied runs is really waste.
There are still considerable areas which have never been taken
up ; some of it on account of the blacks, who are troublesome
in the back country.

But all accounts agree that there is any amount of room for
a big increase in the Kimberley lands when the back country
is opened out and provided with water. The West Australian
Government has now erected treatment works at Wyndham,
and although they are largely a failure in that they have cost
a ruinous price to build, and that they can only offer the East
Kimberley pastoralist 23d. lb. for his beef instead of its value
on the Queensland coast, still they will open out some sort of
a market for the country ; and with the dawn of better days
the Government may perchance write off the £350,000 to
£400,000 of waste due to Departmentalism and day labour,
and hand the concern over to the growers to run for them-
selves. In any case the Wyndham Works represent the
beginning of a new chapter in the history of Kimberley, which
will be progressive in exact proportion to the removal of the
Government blight upon its marketing facilities, and pros-
perous as that consummation is effected. Some day also freez-
ing works must surely come to Derby, the front of West
Kimberley, to terminate the day of cattle shipments south-
ward, and their waste of 100 lbs. per bullock, and to ship away
the product of the country in cold storage, or in tins, with the
tallow and hides.

Working southwards from Kimberley we come to the North-
west and Gascoyne divisions—a huge and partly opened-out
country, running some 111,807 cattle, or less than there were
ten years ago, when there were over 122,000 cattle in these
provinces. From this country a portion of the beef supply of
Perth is drawn, and notwithstanding the importation of
20,000 cattle from Kimberley in 1916, and 10,000 in 1918, the
consumptive drain upon the country is more than it can stand.
There are not 3000 bullocks of marketable ages north of Mee-
katharra and south of Wallal to-day ; and there is every in-
dication that in a year or two it will be difficult to keep pace
with consumption.
| There is plenty of cattle country vacant in the North-west,

64 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

but no one is troubling about breeding. Sheep pay better,
and the cattle question is left to look after itself. No doubt,
as export develops and the whole country advances, the cattle
numbers will increase, and increase considerably.

On the Murchison and the Eastern Goldfields there are some
73,349 cattle, over 20,660 of which are held round Kalgoorlie,
which is, for the first time in its brief history, able to eat its
own roasts for a considerable portion of the year. There is
still much unoccupied country in these divisions, but, served
as the country is with railways, it is more likely to increase
its sheep numbers than its cattle. The country along the
Great Western Railway, too, may probably run some cattle,
but the chances are that here as elsewhere sheep will be the
objective.

Lastly, we have the agricultural areas of the South-western
Division, which ran 120,582 cattle ten years ago, and only
counts up 99,358 to-day. The South-west is not a cattle coun-
try, and the most that can be hoped for is the development of
dairying in the improved country, and a gradual but slow
increase, perhaps principally of dairy breeds, and to a lesser
degree of beef breeds. But that increase is not likely to be
sudden or considerable.

From this sketch it will be seen that Western Australian
increase will be in the tropics and very largely in proportion
to the development of cold storage. Southwards, as the popu-
lation grows, there is little probability of any noticeable in-
crease in the day of this generation. And even if the present
figures were doubled they would still be inconsiderable.

NEW ZEALAND

Tuts stock-owner’s paradise stands alone among all other
countries that I am describing as being an ideal stock-raising
country, with the healthiest of climates, an absence of serious
stock diseases, with the richest of pasture, and the industry of
its farmers. New Zealand farmers need never fear that labour
troubles are going to block their progress, because they are
in the happy position of being able to do all their own work
at any pinch which may occur. Unionists have tried in the
past to block the shipment of the farmers’ produce, but have
been badly beaten every time, until now they recognise that
it is to their interest to work satisfactorily. Another reason
why New Zealand is a good and progressive country is because
the bulk of the people own property, mostly of moderate
dimensions; therefore, itis hard indeed for socialists or
anarchists to get elected to Parliament.

New Zealand’s sheep, at last census, amounted to 26,538,302,
and cattle 2,500,000. Her exports of mutton and lambs in a
pre-war year amounted to- 2,500,000 sheep, 3,500,000 lambs,
and 55,000 carcases of beef, the mutton and lamb shipments
alone amounting to 25 per cent of her flocks.

In the North Island the sheep are almost entirely fattened
on grass ; but in the South Island, particularly in Canterbury
and Northern Otago, on root crops. The bulk of the beef
exports are shipped from the North Island. As will be seen
by the list of the meat-works at the end of this volume, N ew
Zealand is well provided with them in every part of the country.
Most of these, at the present time, are full of frozen meat of
all kinds, and a vast reserve is awaiting Great Britain directly
shipping resumes its pristine activities.

It was thought, some years ago, that New Zealand could
not much increase its flocks and herds; but scrub country,
and native lands in the North Island, still offer great pros-

F 65

66 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

pects for stock-raising of all kinds, and land which has been
ignored in past years, for its poor quality, is now being found
to be good healthy stock country.

A country such as this is only needs men who are not afraid

A War WorRKER

The little Maori Princess who shepherds Mr. C, H. Ensor’s
Corriedale sheep at White Rock, Rangiora, N.Z
of work, to continue to be regular large supplier of food-stuffs
for the Empire. Cattle and sheep are of the highest quality,
and every care is taken to ship the meat in the best condition.

THe New ZEALAND FROZEN MEAT TRADE
Mr. A. 8. Paterson (N.Z.), writes me : ‘‘ The very interesting
compilation which you published lately in The Pastoral
teview is the most complete list of New Zealand freezing
houses that has yet appeared, and is thoroughly up to date.”

uvoundg “g ‘Wy pure ‘oO ‘y ‘sassopy Jo Aquodoad omy,
AUNGIGLINVO HIWMON ‘WAM NNATY

NEW ZEALAND 69

“IT have based upon it another compilation, bringing
together the information it contained, and some other figures

‘bearing on the trade, which, taken together, furnish a some-

what complete statistical view of it from this end, as regards
its volume and the equipment for carrying it on. The com-
pilation is appended. The export figures are taken from the
valuable half-yearly card issued by the Shaw, Savill and Albion
Company.

“The outstanding features shown are, first, the large

Stup RomNeEys oN Moturana, West Coast, AUCKLAND Province,
Nortu Province, N.Z.}

-humbers of freezing, houses scattered over the Dominion,

being forty-one in all, when the eight under construction are

finished—twenty-five being in the North Island, and sixteen

in the South Island.

“The number and distribution of these works is such that

“scarcely any farmer in the Dominion can have a fat beast

ready any day, or a thousand of them, without a freezing
house fairly close by to take them off his hands immediately,

and a steamer to carry them to London within a week or two.

It comes wonderfully near to that ideal condition for the

-grazier—* not a blade of grass wasted.” It is very remarkable

70 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

that so very far away from the centres of consumption, and
for a perishable article, such a favourable position should have —
been attained by the New Zealand grazier, through means of —
the refrigerating process. Since the inception of that process,
this favourable position has always been present in New Zea-
land, first latent as it were, and for the last thirty years gradu-
ally materialising with the advance of the country and the
general progress of the frozen meat trade. It is based primarily
upon one thing—the suitability of the country in soil and —
climate to grow English pasture grasses. :

Grovuv oF Far Buttocks, NEw ZEALAND

“The writer was once in the company of several men high
up in English public life. The subject of New Zealand came
up, and one of them asked abruptly: ‘What is the chief —
among the resources of your country? Is it gold or timber,
or what?’ The writer replied promptly: ‘It is English
grass. The looks that focussed upon him indicated both
surprise and doubt of his mental condition. But -he had ar
first-class opportunity to explain the singular adaptibility of
the country to grow these pasture grasses, and produce just
the class of meat wanted in England, and the excellent returns:
which the cultivation of these pastures yielded to the sheep

é

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NEW ZEALAND 73

farmer, as well as the leading share they had borne in the
advancement of New Zealand.

‘Well, these forty-one works have a ‘ killing capacity ” of
130,300 sheep and 3590 cattle per day! How full a provision
this is for the country’s requirements will be understood when
it is noted that were the full ‘ killing capacity ° put in operation
for anything distantly approaching to full time, say 250 days in
the year, it would suffice to put through the killing rooms
32,575,000 sheep and lambs, and 897,500 cattle, or about one-

Stup RoMNeEys on Morurara, West Coast, AUCKLAND PROVINCE, NORTH
IsLAnD, N.Z,

third more of the former than there were sheep alive in the
Dominion (24,830,328) in 1916, along with three-fourths of the
number of cattle alive at the present time, outside the dairy
herds of three-quarters of a million cows. Again, the storage
space provided at the works is equal to 4,647,000 sheep of
60 lbs. each, or equal to about two-thirds of the year’s export
-of sheep and lambs. These are fanciful ways of putting the
matter, no doubt, but they give a striking idea of the vast
equipment that has been provided for carrying on the trade.

“The position, then, is that the country is splendidly
equipped with killing and freezing power and with storage

74 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

capacity. Nothing but a lucrative trade could have prompted
all this rapid development. There may indeed be some sug-
gestion on the face of the figures of the equipment being over-
done. But it has to be remembered that a freezing house
plant must be equal to the maximum daily demand upon it
in the best of good seasons, or else it'does not adequately serve
the requirements of its district or its clientele. But such
maximum call upon it only obtains for a more or less limited
season when the grass is at its best, then the supply of stock
gradually falls back to a fraction only of what the plant can
deal with, but if a given freezing house is not equal to handling
the stock naturally falling to it during the heaviest fattening
season, the stock will find its way to some competing works.
Put it another way, the supply of fat stock must be variable
and uncertain, hence this surplus equipment for dealing with
a maximum, and not only an average supply. Several times
in the history of this business it has been doubted if the
equipment had not grown too quickly and outstripped the
requirements of the trade. But these doubts never lasted
long. The wonderful ease with which the apparently surplus
plant bas quickly been overtaken again and again by the
production has been surprising.

“One of the features of the trade almost from its inception
has been the co-existence of two classes of freezing works, viz.
farmers’ works and proprietary works; the latter making a
business of buying stock from the farmers, freezing the meat
and manipulating the other products for the company’s own
account ; while the basis in the former case has been that of
freezing for farmers’ account or for account of any buyer from
the farmer, and the treating the by-products in a similar way.
Such companies were projected and owned by farmers and
their agents in the first instance. Time has modified their
working, and many of these companies now also deal largely
in stock for freezing, etc., on their own account. The pro-
prietary companies also freeze for farmers’ account when
required, but it is a secondary feature of their business. As
near as one can say, seventeen of the forty-one works may be
reckoned as proprietary works, leaving twenty-four as farmers’
works. The working of the double system gives most of the

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“dNVIVEZ MUN MIVd AVHSNG LY Sdvostdua Hy

‘NEW ZEALAND a7
farmers the choice of having their stock frozen for shipment
on their own account to London, or selling the live-stock or
the frozen carcases to one of the many buyers for English
account. It is a healthy feature that all the ways of doing the
business seem profitable. No one can say that farmers who
have shipped to London on their own account have done
better than those who have sold to proprietary works or to
local buyers. But the trade goes on healthily and profitably

WHAKATANE Meat Works, NEw ZEALAND

to the satisfaction of all, while both the classes of companies
have paid good dividends, and built up the fine plants largely
out of profits.

“One can hardly refer to this subject without mentioning
the splendid spirit of enterprise shown by the shipping com-
panies engaged in the trade, in keeping up the refrigerated
tonnage so well that scarcely ever before the war was a freezing
house stopped working because there was not freight to carry
the carcases. But since the war broke out there have been
some delays in shipment, arising out of the commandeering

78 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

of the refrigerated ships by the Imperial authorities for other
purposes. The freight dislocation has, however, been less than,
in many other trades.

“The prospects after the war are of the brightest. The
good profits reaped by farmers from the war prices may be
expected to stimulate settlement and increased cultivation of
land. Just what the measure of this may be no one can tell,
but no better stimulus to these operations could exist. It is
generally recognised that the bringing into cultivation of more

Meat Works Avr Katarot, New ZEALAND

land must in the North Island be very extensive for years to
come, and that the South Island is also far from its limit of
production in meat. Other markets than London will be
competing for our meat. It is believed that America will
want the quality of mutton and lamb which we can give them
and which they can never get at home. And so the trade
which has re-made New Zealand during the last thirty years
may be expected to continue its great contribution to the
country’s prospects.

“It may be said that New Zealand differs from Australia in
not having yet found other markets for meat than the United

‘INVIVAZ MEN SANWIST HIMON ‘VUVLALOYY NO SAUNWOY aatg

ibd i

NEW ZEALAND 81

Kingdom. There were great hopes of a trade with Canada a
few years ago, but it only reached a volume equal to 80,000
sheep in its highest year—1913.”

Sir Thomas Mackenzie, K.C.M.G., at a recent meeting of the
British Cold Storage Association, said :—

“ Refrigeration was the means of the development of the
Overseas Dominions. What were the conditions prevailing
before this industry was initiated ? Cattle and sheep were
almost unsaleable. A leg of mutton could be bought for a
shilling. Why, even a sheep was sold in his country (New
Zealand) at from 6d. to 1/-. Boiling-down works were estab-
lished for the mere purpose of extracting fat from the sheep,
the rest of the carcase being wasted, and that at a time when
meat was so urgently required in the great centres of popula-
tion in this country. In Australia cattle—splendid bullocks—
were sold at £2 per head. His friend, the late Mr. Christison,
who had established the first works at Poole Island, Queens-
land, had told him that such was the case in that colony. In
the ‘History of the Frozen Meat Trade,’ of which their
Secretary (Mr. Raymond) was part author, there was a state-
ment to the effect that eight hundred thousand sheep and
seventy-three thousand cattle were boiled down for tallow,
producing 110,000 tons, which were sold for £300,000. That
worked out at 2/6 for each sheep, and less than £3 for each
bullock. They could never too greatly honour the enterprising
men who began the work in the Overseas, such as Brydone,
Roberts, Cooke, Reid, Grigg, Davidson, and others. The first
cargo of frozen meat from New Zealand was sent Home in the
ship Dunedin, and the prices realised in London and Glasgow
were 64d. per Ib. for mutton and 74d. per lb. for lamb. Only
one sheep in the whole cargo was condemned. At that time
their flocks were, in round figures, 12,000,000, and it was
thought by those who had studied the question that they could

‘not bear a greater drain for exportation purposes than 300,000

per annum. Later on, Mr. Brydone foretold that it might be
possible to export 4,000,000 carcases. What was the history
of the development and its effects on our community ?

“New Zealand had exported nearly half the total number
of sheep and lambs that had been brought into the British

G

.

82 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

market since the initiation of refrigeration. The total number
of carcases exported to this country was 224,000,000. New
Zealand had sent 107,000,000 of this number, Australia and
the Argentine being responsible for the balance of 117,000,000.
And what of the prosperity that had followed this ? In 1880
the population of New Zealand was less than half a million ;
it was now 1,180,000. In 1880 lands in oceupation amounted
to 24,000 holdings; there were now 80,000 holdings, com-
prising 42,000,000 acres in cultivation, and the capital value
of the land was £389,000,000, as against £100,000,000 in 1880.

“It must not be concluded that all this work had been easily —

done. Its accomplishment required great enterprise, energy,
knowledge and capital. Might he strike a personal note? He
was a shareholder in one of the earliest freezing companies,
and in later years became the Minister of the Department
(Agriculture) which had under its charge the supervision of all
abattoirs in New Zealand, and the Inspectors who examined
every animal before it was exported, seeing to its absolute
healthiness, and attaching to every carcase a certificate that
it was absolutely free from all disease.”

THE British Navy

A few particulars may be given here of what the British
Navy did for New Zealand for four past seasons :—
Shipped 2,148,418 carcases of beef, lost 18,829 quarters ;

7,780,995 carcases mutton, lost 106,260 carcases; 9,189,564 —

carcases lamb, lost 91,080 carcases ; 1,100,000 crates cheese,
lost 63,000 crates.

Out of 570,000 bales of wool only 9,668 were lost during
1917 and 1918. This is a wonderful performance, and one

the Navy may feel proud of. All such statistics should be

printed for use in the schools of the British Empire.

4

~ ay

ARGENTINA

THis magnificent country lies within lat. 22 to 56 south ; its
area is 1,139,979 square miles, and its population 8,500,000.
It is bounded by Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay
and the Atlantic Ocean, and is at the present time the main
exporter of frozen and chilled beef in the world. It is not
likely that during the next quarter of a century any
other country will rival it. Its most promising competitor
is Brazil, which will have the advantage of a four days’
shorter trip to the Home market; but the Brazilians
have a very long way to go to catch up their southern
neighbour in the quality of their live-stock. The rise of the
frozen meat export trade of Argentina reads like a romance,
and it is given in detail in that excellent work by the late Mr.
J. T. Critchell, and Joseph Raymond, London representatives
of The Pastoral Review, ‘“The History of the Frozen Meat
Trade.” As late as the eighties in the last century, Argentine
cattle, of which there were vast herds, were poor and miserable,
simply killed for their hides and dried beef. But directly
refrigeration was perfected, the wealthy estancieros went to
Britain and purchased the very best sires procurable ; money
was no object, so long as they got the best, and this has gone
on ever since. Although other countries get some excellent
sires, the very best still go to Argentina, and still they pay
the highest prices for what they take a fancy to. Shorthorns,
Herefords, Angus, Devons and Lincoln Reds—representatives
of all these types are in great demand. There is still abundant
land both for breeding and fattening more cattle. As more land
is laid down in alfalfa, so more cattle can be annually turned
off young and of big weights for the freezing works. It is stated
by one authority that not one-fifth of Argentina has yet been
called into productivity, either for agriculture or cattle raising.
83

84 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

Vast areas between Bahia Blanca—the big seaport south of

the river Plate—and the Straits of Magellan, are still available’

for cattle and sheep, and as their wonderful railway systems
spread, these lands become stocked and of more value to the
country. This is where private railways are so much more
beneficial to a young country than hide-bound State-owned
systems which keep a country comparatively stagnant. Again,
there is ample room in the far west, in the northern territories,
and even beyond their boundaries on the sub-pasture land of
the Paraguayan Chaco, and in the great cattle country of
Southern Brazil, to breed far more stock than at present exist.

West of Bahia Blanca, considerably beyond the termini of
the railroads, in the foothills of the Andes, where there is
plenty of water and good grazing all the year round—although
the winters are quite severe at times—land may be rented
from the Government at a very moderate rate indeed.

Cattle can also be purchased in that territory, in almost any

desirable number, at a few pounds per head. It is the custom —

there to graze the cattle all the winter, and then in the spring
to drive them, by easy stages, to the railroad centres, either
east or north, although at times ranchers have taken them
across the Andes for marketing at Valparaiso, Chile; but, as
a tule, the cattle are pastured on alfalfa lands in the province
of Buenos Aires before being marketed.

Although, practically speaking, cattle raising can be

carried on in any part of the Argentine Republic, there —

are regions which, for climatic and topographical reasons, are
more favourable to the industry than others. Chief amongst
such regions is the Pampa district, the climate of which is
sufficiently mild to allow of breeding all the year round.

Under the denomination of “Pampa” may be included —

the whole of the province of Buenos Aires, the greater part
of Cordoba and Santa Fé, and parts of the adjacent provinces
and territories, which constitute one immense natural plain,

without any greater obstacle to the transit of stock than
gradual slopes, small ridges, or, in some districts, woods of

greater or lesser extent. The central portion of this region has
been known for some years as the alfalfa zone. Alfalfa culti-
vation, however, has expanded to such an extent on every

_

2
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eo __-

VNILNGDUY ‘NVTIVWOUND LY @IILV) WVYHUNG #0 aug

ARGENTINA 87

side of this zone that to-day the designation records more
accurately the district of its origin than the limits of its actual
cultivation. The north of the province of Buenos Aires, owing
to its situation on the banks of the Parana and the River
Plate, and due to its having been settled longer than any other,
is one of the most fertile regions imaginable. After having
been for long devoted to sheep raising, it is to-day the principal
centre of maize growing. The north-eastern portion of this

A WEALTHY ARGENTINE’S ESTANCIA

Mr, Hector Cobo’s homestead at ‘‘ La Armonia,” Southern part of Buenos
Aires Province.

province consists, generally speaking, of low-lying lands, sub-
ject to frequent inundations. The Provincial Government,
however, has undertaken drainage works, the completion of
which should have beneficial effect upon the value of these
lands. The western district of the province of Buenos Aires,
the south of Cordoba, and the province of Santa Fé, the
eastern portion of San Luis and the Pampa Central, present
very slight differences as regards climate and soil. The Argen-
tine Mesopotamian provinces of Entre Rios and Corrientes
likewise constitute an admirable cattle-raising region, due to
favourable climate, abundant pasture, and ample water supply.

88 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

Lastly, Patagonia, cold and windy, is gradually attaining a
position as one of the healthiest sheep-rearing districts of the
world.

Argentina is divided into 14 provinces and 10 territories.
It is largely composed of immensely rich plains with great
depth of river deposit soil, and is almost bare of trees, except
round the numerous estancias, where the owners invariably
plant largely. In the Chaco will be found dense forest
country. Cattle and sheep are to be found all over the Pampa,
from the extreme north to the extreme south, where are the
territories of Rio Negro, Chubut, and Santa Cruz. However,
the bulk of the good cattle are to be found in the east, or
Atlantic side, and sheep on the west and south. Patagonia is
almost entirely devoted to sheep, nearly all of which are of the
various British breeds, or crossbreds.

It is recorded that the first appearance of cattle on the
River Plate was early in the sixteenth century, when seven
cows and a bull were brovght from Brazil, through Paraguay,
by two Portuguese, the brothers Cipriano and Vicente Goes ;
but soon after, large numbers were imported by Juan de
Galazary Espinoza, treasurer to the Government. The first
sheep were introduced in 1550, and large numbers of horses,

cattle and sheep, in a semi-wild state, strayed down south to —

Argentina’s rich pastures, from Peru and Brazil.

Roughly, Argentina may be divided into three divisions,
and in each separate portion almost all the cattle of one class
in the Republic are included. The principal herds of Durhams
are held within the province of Buenos Aires, the southern
half of the province of Cordoba, the southern portion of Santa
Fé, the south-east corner of San Luis, and a small portion of
the territory of Pampa Central.

Entre Rios and a part of the south of Corrientes holds the
main breeding place for Herefords.

The outskirts of the country are chiefly devoted to Criollo
and grade Criollos, these being cattle bred from the original
Spanish importation of hundreds of years back, and afterwards
allowed to become wild. Down south there are very few cattle,
the country being chiefly devoted to sheep.

The Shorthorns are run on the alfalfa and on all the best of

2 ee cy tan a ae

1 NER NMEE 9 AN RRE DERE eee oor

:
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ARGENTINA 89

the country, as owing to their early maturity they give the
best results on the high-priced land, and they are very nice
cattle indeed. The first impression one receives after being
struck by the quality of the cattle is the number run on the
area and the quiet nature of the stock.

Pasture.—The indigenous grasses of the Pampa region known
as coarse grass have gradually been replaced in a radius ot
about 150 miles round Buenos Aires by the so-called soft
grass, the seed of which was brought over by the Spanish in-

Group oF BreEpInc Mares aT ‘‘ Et Socorro,” PROVINCE OF BUENOS AIRES

vaders amongst the forage for their horses. This grass,
although actually of little agricultural value, was nevertheless
superior to the Pampean grasses. Before the spread of alfalta
(the ‘‘ Queen of the Pampa ”’), land was classified as of coarse
grass and soft grass.

Estancias—The year 1878 marked the beginning of a new
era of extraordinary development in the Argentine estancias.
In that year the Indians were finally subdued, and the settle-
ment of an enormous tract of fertile territory became possible.
High rents and heavy taxation induced many breeders to
migra‘e from the inside camps to the cheaper and less crowded

90 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

lands thus opened up. In order to defray the cost of the cam-
paign against the Indians, four thousand leagues of land had _
been sold by the Government, at the price of 400 gold dollars |
per square league. From 1878 to about 1890 was a period of
transition, migration and settlement, no great progress being

made in refining stock or in cultivation, or in increased value —

of land. The increasing areas placed under cultivation in the
inside lands compelled all breeders, who did not own their
land, to seek new pastures, with the result that from 1890 to
the present day an amazing development has taken place.
The native type of both sheep and cattle has almost entirely
disappeared. The sires imported from Europe have com-
pletely transformed the herds and flocks of a few years ago,
so that to-day the average Argentine estancia can compare
favourably with any other similar establishment in the world.
The immense industry opened up with the advent of the freez-
ing companies, and the high standard exacted by the require- _
ments of their European customers have done much to im-
prove Argentine live-stock. The praiseworthy and eminently
successful efforts of the Argentine Rural Society towards
raising the standard of Argentine live-stock by means of cattle
shows, prizes, publications, and propaganda, entitle them to
‘the grateful recognition of the whole country.

Recently a friend, who was once manager of a big Australian
station, wrote me from Argentina regarding their methods
of working Argentine cattle, and his details were as follows :— —

The paddocks are all small, about 1500 acres being a large
paddock ; usually they contain between 400 and 500 acres.
All classes of stock are kept separate, each age and class
running in adjacent paddocks; furthermore, all steers are
graded, the most advanced being drafted from the others, the
one object being to get them fit for market as early as possible.
A buyer from a frigorifico would leave in disgust, without —
offering, if shown bullocks boxed up as is done in Queensland, —
and expected to offer for a percentage out of the herd. —
The steers being nicely graded, the buyer can examine each |
lot, and make his estimate to within a very narrow margin of
of their killing weight. Steers are rarely held until four years —
old, the majority being disposed of between 23 and 3} years,

peed

ARGENTINA : 91

and no effort is spared to arrive at early maturity. In many
instances the cows as they calve are drafted from the dry
cows to give the calves a better chance, and again the cows
with steer calves are drafted from those with heifer calves,
and the former are given the best paddocks to help them
along.

The steer calves are dehorned and castrated on most well-
managed places within the first two months from birth. On
some properties they are yarded to do this, but it is mostly

A Pont oF ‘‘ FREEZER” STORES READY FOR TRANSPORT, ARGENTINA

done in the paddocks, the calves being caught with the lasso.
Owing to the fact that almost all the properties have no other
means of watering but troughs filled from wells, dehorning is
of great benefit to the steers, as they do not knock each other
about or take up much space at the trough while watering ;

furthermore, as almost always stock are trucked when passing

from one property to another, if any considerable distance
apart, or to market, the knocking about in the trucks is mini-
mised. The frigorificos find that there is a very much larger
percentage of bruised meat from a train-load of horned steers
compared with those that have been dehorned.

92 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

Dehorning, though a cruel business if left until the cattle
have attained a considerable growth of horn, is quite a light
operation if done while the calf is young. The most popular
method seems to be to cut out the button with a half or three-
quarter inch gouge and rub on a little stick caustic. When
the beast has a large horn, several varieties of dehorning im-
plements are in vogue, including a saw, all more or less bar-
barous in use and effect.

1. CHAMPION SHORTHORN BULL, QuiLMES CoLLYNIE 57H, 3 years old. Owned by
Sr. Leonardo Pereyra, San Juan. Won Shorthorn Society’s Cup, MacLennan
Cup, and Amos Cruickshank Cup (Group of 5). Sold for £2187.

The Herefords of Entre Rios are run on poorer quality land,
or land which is more suitable for them, owing to their hardy
nature and resistance to disease. The paddocks on these
properties for the most part are larger than on the better
country, otherwise the Herefords are treated much the same
as Shorthorns, with the exception that dehorning is not so
generally practised. Entre Rios, as its name implies, has
many streams, consequently dehorning is not necessary to
prevent knocking about while watering, as on alfalfa camps,

ARGENTINA 93

Branding is generally done in the yard in much the same
way as it is done in Australia, but rather more roughly and
more slowly.

Cattle drafting in the yard is done through a race, similar
to an Australian sheep race on a large scale, the men working
the cattle on horseback in the yard, the only footmen being
the drafter at the gate and a man or two on the platform out-
side the race keeping the cattle running.

to

CHAMPION SHORTHORN Cow, AScoTT VALENTINE, 4 years old. Owned by
Sr. Pedro T. Pages, La Josephina. Won the A. de Barry and Co, Cup, and
Family Group Prize (with two calves).

No stock-whips are used with the cattle, but each man has
a short-handled riding whip with a lash of raw greenhide about
1 ft. long and 14 in. wide, with which he gives the cattle a
flip when opportunity occurs. Apart from this, the cattle
are handled very noisily and roughly. They are knocked
about a lot by being driven too fast, droving as used to be
known in Australia being unknown in this country. One
notion that exists is that if cattle are given a gallop occasion-
‘ally once or twice a week, that is, chased round until they are

94 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

red-hot, they put on condition more quickly. Many English-

men managing there have adopted that notion also. Its effect

on a lot of soft steers feeding on green juicy alfalfa may be
imagined, but the cattle do not suffer from it as much as one
would expect, partly because they are accustomed to being
driven very fast, and it does not make them restless. When
he has cattle to drive, the average estancia peon, as the
stockman is called, is in a great hurry apparently, but
that is the only time, for he is a leisurely customer as
a general rule.

Inoculating or vaccinating for the numerous diseases
gives a considerable amount of work. Vaccination against
mancha (black leg) in calves is done almost everywhere at
branding time, and there are numerous other diseases to guard
against ; consequently the appliances for this class of work
are very complete on every up-to-date place, including dips
for dipping scabby cattle and those from tick-infested districts. —

The preparation of stock for shows has also attained great
perfection. All steers are stall-fed and haltered, and as none
of them are more than four years old at the most, they are
forced very extensively. The prizes are usually for classes, —
according to age, from twelve months upwards. In the
preparation of the younger stock, calves are forced from two —
months old, steers of ten and eleven months sometimes getting
the milk from three or four cows, in spi to all kinds of
artificial foods.

The criollo cattle run on the poor camps to the west and
north. Perhaps they may be said to be hardy, as they can
certainly live in lower condition for a long time than any
other breed of cattle, but they are very difficult to put con-
dition on, no matter how good the feed, nor do they ever carry
a great quantity of flesh, though they are nice meat when fat,
not hard and tough like the native cattle of South Africa.
They are great walkers, and can walk as fast as an ordinary
horse ; it is no uncommon feat for a mob of these cattle to be
driven 150 miles in three days. As is to be expected, they are
ill-shapen animals, never attain much weight, are of all
colours, and with a great growth of horn. Latterly, they have
been in great demand for canning purposes, as the flesh has -

ARGENTINA 95

very little fat. These cattle are chiefly run on unimproved
camps, and are very roughly treated in every way.
Beef-making in Argentina is almost exclusively a grazing
business, but it is no longer on the open range basis (says
Mr. C. F. Curtis in The Breeders’ Gazette, Chicago). “It is
more of a farm pasture business, but the pastures are very
large. Few of the cattle seen at the packing plants have ever
tasted grain. The greater part of the cattle as they come to

3. CHAMPION HEREFORD BULL, CAMERONIAN 27TH, 3 years old. Owned by Sr.
Celedonio Peredo, Villa Maria. Won the Hereford Breeders’ Cup, Conjunto
Prize (with two others), Leonardo Pereyra Cup, Cipriano J. Quesada Cup,
Hereford Herd Book Society’s Cup, and Nicanor Olivera Cup.

market are of uniform quality, showing good breeding, and
carrying plenty of flesh for good export beef. They show
better breeding than either the farm cattle or the range stock
of any other country that is producing beef on a large scale.
Most of the cattle from the large estancias are bought direct
by the packers or frigorificos, as they are called. A represen-
tative of the packing-house visits the estancias, inspects the
saleable stock, and reports to his firm on the number of animals,
condition, and feed, and sends an estimate of the average

96 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

number of pounds of dressed beef per bullock. The cattle are
bought on the basis of this estimate. The frigorifico managers
deal frankly with the estancia owner, and tell him just how
much beef his cattle made. The same buyer sticks to the one
estancia for a lifetime.”

SHORTHORNS

Shorthorns have been found ideal for most conditions exist-
ing in Argentina. The proportions of cattle that have been
improved by grading are 75 per cent Shorthorns, 15 per cent
Herefords, and still fewer Angus. Of registered Shorthorns,
between 75,000 and 80,000 pedigrees have been inscribed in
their herd-book. Many breeders are not registering their in-
ferior pedigree animals, placing such in their grade herds and
using them only for commercial purposes, so that many collec-
tions of Shorthorns are to be seen that are pure-bred or show-
ing a predominance of characteristics of the breed where the

quality is of high order. The leading live-stock exhibition is —

the show held annually in August by the Argentine Rural
Society at Palermo, a beautiful park in Buenos Aires. The
stabling is the most elaborate to be seen at any show in the
world. The judging is done during two days prior to the
inauguration programme. The Shorthorn cattle classes are
the principal features of the Show, and there is no other breed
that compares with the Shorthorn in number of entries and
the average high quality.

The auction is really the main feature of the Palermo exhi-
bition, as the greater portion of the entries of all breeds of live-
stock are disposed of at that time. The sales usually consume
a fortnight. It is a splendid sight to see classes of Shorthorn
bulls, well filled from first to last, and numbering up to ‘160 in
a class. One bull, New Year’s Gift, champion at Palermo
recently, brought at auction £5520, and the result was nicely
symbolised in the comments of the Scotch judge, Mr. Law,
who remarked : ‘‘ A guid bull, but a grand price. I would no
mind taking a dozen like him back to Scotland.” .

ARGENTINA 97

TIERRA DEL FUEGO AND SOUTHERN PATAGONIA

(By a Correspondent to The Pastoral Review)

“In comparing the Argentine with other countries, one fact
is often overlooked, viz. the number of miles that lie between
the 23rd and 55th degrees of latitude, or, in plain words, the
extraordinary range of climate, equalled, I believe, by no
single country in the world between its northern and southern

4, HEREFORD Cow, PLUM 257TH, 2 years old. Owned by Messrs. C. E, and B,
Duggan, Santa Sabina. Won the P. and G. Hughes’ Cup.

boundaries. From the mountains of Bolivia to the glaciers of
the Beagle Channel, the land falls in a sweep of over 2000
miles with an average width of only 500 miles. Thus, by nature
of its formation, the country is assured against a total loss of
its products in any one year. It would be more than a coin-
cidence if the sugar and hardwoods of the north, the linseed,
wheat, and alfalfa lands that support the immense herds at
the centre, the mineral and wine industry of the Cordillera,
and the. pastoral wealth of the south should simultaneously
fall on bad times. This explains the conflicting accounts
H

98 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

brought back by different settlers, and also in a measure
reveals the secret of Argentina’s steady advance.

“The Argentine constitution provides for certain provinces,
which are distinct from the so-called territories. The former
are supposed to be self-governing. They have the full right
of internal management and a legislative body of their own.
The territories are under the direct control of the central
National Government, which appoints to them their military
governors and civil judges. For this additional reason it is
difficult to generalise concerning Argentina.

“The first settlers of modern times came to Patagonia from
the Falkland Islands. These outlying specks of a former con-
tinent, luckily for the Republic, form part of the British Em-
pire, else to-day the plains of Patagonia might have remained
as in the time of Darwin, peopled but by vast herds of guanaco
and the scattered tents of some roving Indians. The islands
are pre-eminently adapted for the breeding of sheep, and it is
calculated that at the present time over 2,000,000 head graze
on the short, wind-swept pastures. Eighteen years ago the
British Government stopped the sale of fiscal lands. This,
combined with the large profits that the well-stocked farms
had been yielding, induced certain pioneers to try their luck
on the reputed barren mainland of Magellan. The shipment
of the first flocks over the 300 odd miles that separate the island
from the treacherous coast, was attended with great risk and
loss, but the result amply justified the bold venture. In 1882
the lands now occupied by the Patagonian Sheep-farming
Company were grazed by only 18,000 sheep. These same lands
now support within the boundary fences close on 300,000 head.
This total has been arrived at with no further purchase of
stock than those necessary to bring in fresh blood, and in spite
of severe winter losses. —

‘“ The first stations were planted close to the entrance of the
Straits, and land was rapidly taken up along the first and
second Narrows. These necks of the sea are but 2 to 4 miles
broad, so it is not surprising, after the five years necessary to
get the new stations into working order had passed, to find
sheep being shipped over to the fertile shores of the “ Tierra
Del,” as it is dubbed with true Anglo-Saxon brevity, The

——_— 2

ARGENTINA 99

pastures here are superior to those of the Patagonian coast, on
account of the unfailing streams of crystal water that traverse
the land in every direction. The climate, moreover, presents
fewer extremes, and protection is afforded from the bitter
south-west winds by the high ranges of mountains at the back
of the open ground. It was doubtless the aspect of these same
ranges, viewed by the sea captains cruising along their southern
shores that pictured Tierra del Fuego as a mass of ice-clad

First Prizzk Far SHORTHORN BULLOCK, ARGENTINA

Live Weight, 2112 lbs. Dead Weight, 1519 lbs. Sold for £393
to Freezing Co.

peaks, inhabited only by the bloodthirsty savages that sat
perched upon them, anxiously scanning the beach for ship-
wrecked crews.

“The commercial capital of all these southern territories is
Sandy Point, a town which boasts some 7000 inhabitants, and
is situated about 50 miles west of the second Narrows. Of
Tierra del Fuego Argentina owns but a small area, the ground
lying east of a line dropped due south from Cape Virgens to
the Beagle Channel. Ushuaia, the Argentine capital here, as
well as the town of Gallegos, on the Patagonian southern
coast, is entirely dependent on Sandy Point for their trade.

100 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE ,

“The better camps in Tierra del Fuego will support about —
5000 sheep to the square league (9 square miles), and have
been sold at public auction as high as £1000 per league. There
are possibly some 1000 miles in the island fit for grazing, of
which much is yet fiscal land. This will doubtless be taken up
as the country opens out and a definite settlement is made
with regard to the Indian question.

‘ Half-way up the Patagonian coast is a deep indent bearing
the name of the Gulf of San Jeorge. The 46th parallel of lati-
tude, piercing its centre, runs across a high barren tableland,
to where Lake Buenos Aires, one of the largest of the newly —
discovered Andean chain, shows its 70 miles of sparkling blue —
among the foothills of the Cordillera. This line marks a dis- —
tinct zone, the land to the south being exposed to colder —
winds and having a heavier rainfall than that to the north.
From Cape Virgens another line, drawn in somewhat irregular
fashion to where the Pacific has pierced the Andes at Last
Hope Inlet (site of the famous Mylodon Cave), gives the Chilean.
boundary to the south. Between these two boundaries is the
territory known as Santa Cruz, the most extensive of all the
national territories, as it is also the least settled, with an area
of 10,159 square miles and a total population of about 2000
persons.

‘“ Between Rio Gallegos, the first river flowing into the
Atlantic north of the Straits, and Sandy Point, lie what are
reputed some of the best sheep camps at Patagonia. In a
country 60 little known and of such great extent as that
comprised under this title, it is as well to receive such a state-_
ment with caution, though it may well be that owing to longer
settlement their possibilities have been more thoroughly ex-
plored than those of remoter districts.

‘The lands on the coast are generally accounted the mos
valuable, as the climate is tempered by the sea breeze, while
economy in freighting has also to be considered.

“The alluvial soil on the surface reaches a scant 6 in., an
overlies a foot of stiff boulder clay. Below this come the
endless beds of marl, sand, and gravel, which have caused the
well-known tablelands to be the subject of so much puzzl]
controversy in learned circles.

Og D ys 4 96h pace

ARGENTINA 101

“The first sheep brought to the mainland by the Falk-

landers were hardy Shropshires, with a strong infusion of

Merino, a type that was speedily modified, before the settlers
stretched the seemingly limitless plains. The problem given
them was to convert their grasses in the shortest possible time
into mutton and wool. To this end larger breeds were intro-
duced, principally Lincoln and Romney Marsh, and it is from
this last-named strain that the majority of Patagonian wools
are clipped to-day.

|
;
.

SHEEP IN PATAGONIA

“On these higher pampas of the tablelands the soil is worn
perilously thin, small patches of grass alternating with a sur-
face of pure gravel and useless scrub, and; Nature’s warm pro-
vision of wool grew coarse and luxuriant in the teeth of the
blustering winds that swept across them. The newer breeds
of sheep imported by the settlers strode joyfully patch
to patch, picking out the softer grasses, and from one long-
legged generation to another they waxed fat and kicked.

‘The farmers of Southern Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego
are mostly hardy Scotch, practical Englishmen, or New
Zealanders, as, by the way, are most of their shepherds and
hands. The Argentine and Chilean peon have given but poor

102 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

results in the south, and a traveller may ride from Santa Cruz
to Sandy Point and hear no word but English, with, perhaps,
a slight smattering of German. As a consequence, business is
conducted on the uncompromising basis of pounds, shillings,
and pence, the national paper-money being solely a medium
of exchange. The keynote of life in Argentina’s farthest south
is independence, not to say isolation. It is a rawly new country,
even its very formation is geologically unfinished, and it is too
big for any man to interfere with his neighbour, to fight him
or to help him. The settler is launched upon the dreary leagues
with his flock of sheep, his horse,and his faithful dogs. Whether
he be man enough to win out will depend here, more perhaps
than in any other civilised land, upon himself alone.

“Tf the question were suddenly put to them, ‘ What sort of
a country is Argentina ?’ ninety-nine out of a hundred men
would reply that it was a level, treeless plain, adding as an
afterthought that it extends half-way up the ridge of the
Andes, separating it from Chile. But in reality four-fifths of
the big Republic is covered by (1) high mountains and their
broken foothills ; (2) abrupt tablelands ; (3) scrub and forest.
The remaining 20 per cent is the true pampa.

‘The mistake is, after all, but a natural one, for up to —

thirty years ago the pampas of the Plate coast comprised all
that the settler of that day knew, or cared to know, concern-
ing the country. He had pitched his camp as near to Buenos
Aires as possible, having an eye to cheap freights and a good
rainfall, while at the same time he kept in touch with the
political and trading capital. We must not lose sight of the
fact that forty years ago the Indian camps were pitched within

fifty nniles of the town. Whilst these gentry were being driven —
back, the hard grass on his farm gave way to soft meadows,

and as their stocking capacity increased, so did his yearly
balance-sheet show a better return. The land behind him to

the west was dry and sandy, and to have refined its coarse”
grasses by the simple process of grazing would have occupied —

many a weary and wasted year. So our pioneer stuck to the

coast, and when they spoke to him of the ‘ outside camps,’
he shook his head, and said he was all right where he

was. 7

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ARGENTINA 105

“What is the pampa was in former ages covered by a body
of water, now commonly known as the Pampean Sea. The
flood stretched up to and round the Cordoba range standing
in the middle of the Republic ; in the south it reached to the.
tablelands of Patagonia; north to where the slopes of the
Cordillera incline to the watershed of the Parana. ‘The for-
mation of the plain marks the different currents that directed
the receding waters. We find sand collected by erosion of the
mountain chains; vegetable silt carried down by torrential
rivers from a tropic interior, mixed with the fossil deposits of
a former ocean bed. The general upheaval caused the waters
co retire gradually from the neighbourhood of the Andes, the
outlet of those subterranean, forces which are still continuing
their gigantic work, albeit in a more deliberate and less marked
degree.

“Tf we examine the surface of the land we shall find that
although in certain tracts lying between the Cordova and the
Andes the sandy formation resembles that of the central
pampas, yet it conceals rounded foothills of barren stone,
which make stream and reservoir irrigation the only solution
of the water question. Wherever we go north to higher ground
we find a forest which, from its stunted outposts on the sandy
plains, closes and thickens to the impenetrable groves of the
Argentine Chaco. Again, skirting down the coast from the
‘broad delta to the Parana, we find that the porous sand has
been mixed with, and overlaid by, an increasing thickness of
alluvial, packed by the rains to a grazing ground of almost
unparalleled richness. So none of these are the lands tor which
we seek.

“Take now a rough line 200 miles long between the cities
of Cordoba and Rosario. Drop further a 400-mile perpendicu-
lar from Rosario due south towards Bahia Blanca, leaving
outside it all the rounded coastline of the Queen province.
Complete the figure by a southern boundary that roughly
parallels the Rio Colorado, and on the west skirts the detached
spurs of the ancient Cordoba range. We have now 80,000
square miles, or, roughly, 10,000 square leagues of the true
central pampas, the ‘ outside camps’ of the coast belt., Our
parallelogram is not a very exact one. We must bulge it here,

106 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

and cut off a corner there ; for in the Argentina they are not
used to be bounded by straight rules, geometrical or otherwise.
But if the surface shades from a'6-in, alluvial to a faintly tinged
sand ; if the subsoil to 100 yards depth is a sandy marl mixed
with lumps of freelime that soak up the uncertain streams
venturing from the hills before they can catch sight of the
low-lying coast ; if the rainfall is between 20 and 25 in.; if
as close as 6 ft., and not more than 40 ft., below the roots of
the wiry pampa grass the water comes in strata, brackish, and
in some parts undrinkably bitter by reason of the lime-impreg-
nated soil through which it has filtered ; if, finally, there is no
rock, nor pebble, nor any vestige of the stone age larger than
a grain of sand—by all these tokens we may know that we are
in the true alfalfa land.

‘* Twenty-five years ago alfalfa was only grown on the more
progressive estancias, and even then in paddocks rarely ex-
ceeding 10 to 20 acres. The crop was set aside for imported
stock, and for the benefit of such home-grown, animals as were
deemed good enough toe send up to the annual sales at the
capital. It was stated that grazing killed out the plant, and,
in view of the high cost of establishing it, estancieros wasted —
year after year in cropping a worn-out and unprofitable patch.
The necessity of finding a drought-resisting forage in the
warmer, sandier backblocks, where the summer rainfall was
too scanty to keep up tender grasses, induced a more enlight-
ened farmer to give the plant a trial. From the result of
that successful experiment we may date the opening up of
the central pampas.

‘These plains in the natural state will support on their sun-
burnt tafts of grass a maximum of 500 head of cattle or 2000
sheep per square league (6400 acres). The same ground laid
down in four or five paddocks of alfalfa will maintain all the
year round, and turn off in good shape 2000 head of cattle, in
addition to 5000 sheep. That is to say, the introduction of
this unequalled forage plant has raised the possible production
of these pampas from 5,000,000 cattle, or 20,000,000 sheep, to
20,000,000 cattle and 100,000,000 sheep—an increase of 800
per cent.

“The yield of an acre of alfalfa if cropped may be safely

ARGENTINA 107

placed at two tons of hay, or 20 tons of ensilage, per annum.
The process of making ensilage is as yet very little practised
in Argentina in spite of the excellent results it yields. Large
fields cut for hay, which might be utilised in this manner, are
left to rot owing to an unexpected shower. If the two opera-
tions were carried on side by side, it is safe to say that the
summer yield of two tons would be augmented by at least
five tons ensilage per acre. The total yield for one league
(which does not by any means represent the maximum yield
in a good season) then becomes 12,000 tons hay and 30,000
tons ensilage per square league. There is left a sufficiency of
short feed to support two sheep to the acre during the six
remaining winter months.

“The foregoing figures will give an idea of the growth of
green stuff that a bountiful Nature puts at the disposal of the
farmer in this region in an average year. Of the most ap-
proved methods of converting this food supply into mutton,
wool, and beef, I have no space to treat. Local conditions
and a consideration of individual ways and means must always
be set before any ‘ counsel of perfection.’ I only give it here
to show what are the capabilities of the alfalfa region if com-
petition should ever drive the easygoing estanciero of to-day
to the more intensive farming practised in less favoured parts
of the globe.

“T give a rough summary of the chief points to be regarded
in the establishment of an alfalfa estancia :—

“1. The plant should, if possible, be laid down in a district
which will ensure the owner a return on his money while the
ground is being broken up, i.e. he should not settle too far
outside. On the camps, within a day’s carting of a station,
his only indispensable outlay will be that of fencing and
alfalfa seed, which is at once returned to him in the increased
value of his property.

“2. If grazed with judgment, the plant will last indefinitely.
I have seen paddocks that were over fifty years old. Disking
will often renew an apparently worn-out paddock.

“3. As the habit of the plant is to renew its sprouts directly
through the crown, it will die out if continually grazed during
its growing season by close-feeding stock, such as sheep. In

108 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

this case the land will still have been greatly benefited. Ata
distance of 5 ft. below the surface of a five-year-old alfalfa
patch there are in the space of one square foot from ten to
thirty roots reaching directly to the surface, and averaging
one-eighth of an inch in diameter. In addition to this thorough
subsoiling, large quantities of ash and free nitrogen, which the
plant has the property of storing near the surface, go far to
ensure a successful after-crop of cereals. It is probable that
in many cases a five or seven years’ ley of this kind would
be more profitable to the farmer than the policy of nursing his
paddocks.

“4. After the land is laid down to alfalfa, the surface strata
of water will drop from 4 ft. to 10 ft. below its original height
in the wells, owing to the demands made on it by the penetrating
roots. This fact will go far to reclaim low-lying and mosquito-
infested grounds. The water will tend to improve as more
alfalfa is laid down, for the dense growth of the plant checks
the evaporation of the rainfall.

“5. The seed should be as clean as possible, and grown, in
the neighbourhood, in order that it may be well acclimatised.
It is more important, and much more economical, to work the
ground thoroughly at the time of sowing the seed than to sow
a heavier quantity of seed in badly prepared ground. During
its first season the alfalfa should be lightly stocked, and, if
possible, mown.

‘““T have met with more prosperity, and found the country
opening up faster, in the alfalfa district than in any other
throughout Argentina. Yet it must not be supposed that

estancia business here is devoid of drawbacks. Chief of these

in many parts; and especially throughout the southern parts
of Cordoba, is the question of water supply, which, though
abundant, is often so undrinkably bitter that it will not be
approached even by the cattle. Where this is the case, it is
the custom to make wide, shallow wells, which to some extent
catch the surface drainage. Again, the wind that blows in-
cessantly all and every day, save for a short breathing space in
early winter, brings with it an invariable accompaniment of
dust, flies, and discomfort, which constitutes a very serious
factor in home life on a small ranch. The planting of trees

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ARGENTINA 109

and turf will afford a partial relief, but these nuisances will
continue, in a more or less degree, as long as the pampa remains
pampa.

* Animals are liable to loss from bloat if fed carelessly on the
rank growth during springtime, and their meat is pronounced
by butchers to be less attractive than that of stock fattened on
natural grass pastures. Furthermore, unless money has been
freely invested in storing the summer growth, an estanciero
may find himself in a very serious quandary at the first touch
of winter. Standing feed that would have supported 1000
head of cattle will barely suffice for 200 after a few nights’
hard frost. The stock must be smartly handled during the
summer season, in order to take advantage of the paddocks at
their point of maximum nutrition, i.e. just before the flower-
ing stage of the plant, and when it is eaten bare the stock
should be taken off at once in order to allow the plant to
sprout again in the shortest possible time. A natural corollary
to this rule is that it is impossible to have too many paddocks
on an alfalfa farm, and fencing means a heavy outlay on an
item which is constantly deteriorating in value. If the home
stock is not sufficient to eat down the summer growth, it
should be cut at once, or fresh stock purchased, for in a fort-
night more the standing crop will have lost 40 per cent of its
feeding value, and in another month it will have altogether
vanished, leaving no profit, and retarding the growth of its
successor. The estanciero must, therefore, reserve at least
30 per cent of the capital at his disposal for emergencies, which
are certain to arise at the shortest notice, and which will only
admit of a ready-money solution. It is this reserve fund which
will probably make the difference between handsome profits
and none at all.

“Previous remarks will have made it clear that in the region
of which we have been treating agriculture is dependent for
its ultimate success on the planting and cultivation of alfalfa.
Cereal crops, however, form a large proportion of the annual
product and wealth of the district.

110 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

THE ARGENTINE MESOPOTAMIA

“The watershed of the River Plate basin is collected from
three sources, to wit :—

(1) The Cordillera of the Andes, which from latitude
25 deg. in N.W. Argentina rapidly widens to its maximum at
the Bolivian ‘ massif’ in latitude 15 deg., where it almost
touches; (2) the central highlands of Brazil, dividing the
Amazon and the River Plate systems; and, finally, (3) the
coast range of Brazil, which starts between the towns of Bahia
and Rio de Janeiro, also in the latitude 15 deg., and terminates
in the rounded foothills of Uruguay.

“The Brazilian highlands, as they lie sprawling over the
centre of the South American map, may be likened to an, ill-
formed kite. The head, pointing to the Amazon, is fringed by
the affluents of that inland sea. The lower sides are stiffened
by mountain ranges, that acquire the occasional dignity of
5000 ft. As the tail of the kite, some 600 miles long, passes
southward through Paraguay, this height drops steadily to
1000 ft. At this altitude the range halts finally on the northern
boundary of Argentina, overlooking the network of swamps
and lazy streams that gives its name to the province of Cor-
rientes. |

“In the wide valley between the Andes and the western
slopes of this range flows the river Paraguay. Between the
east of the same and the hills of the Atlantic coast lies the
course of the Parana. Not the plain Parana of the south,
but known here in its upper channels as the Paranahyba, or,
more generally and simply, the ‘ Alto Parana.’

“Tt would have greatly simplified the geography of all this
watershed if the Parana had been able to keep to the eastern
side on which it originally started. It would then have en-
tered the Plate estuary by the present bed of the Uruguay,
which would in its turn have figured’simply as one of the tribu-
taries entering the great river from the Brazilian coast range.
But just north of the spot where their junction would have
taken place, a spur of hills juts out, forming a right angle,

and almost joining up with the Paraguayan highlands—the ~

tail of the kite. Now, in its hurried upper course, the Parana

ae

ARGENTINA 111

has carved for itself a deep bed in the soft, red sandstone.
But here, in the south, its banks have broadened, and it has
lost much of its old impetuosity. It cannot, as in the far-off
falls of Guayra, burst its way through the obstacle to pour in
a straight flood ever southwards. So at the south-east corner
of Paraguay it is forced to swerve sharply to the west, making
a 200-mile boundary for the north of Corrientes. Some 100
miles past the bend the river crosses the last vestige of the
hills in a short rapid at Itati (the ‘many rocks’), which pro-
hibit navigation on the Alto Parana for all vessels drawing
more than 3 ft. of water.

“The Paraguay basin has a character entirely distinct from
that of its rival. It runs for the greater part in a path recon-
quered from the ocean rather than a bed carved out by running
stream. At its headquarters, the lonely lagoon-morass of
Xarayes, over 2000 miles from the bustling Argentine capital,
its height is calculated at only 700 ft. above sea-level. In
time of flood both the main stream and its tributaries over-
flow their low-lying banks to the extent of many hundreds
of square miles. Of all these tributaries the greatest now
advances on it. Just above Corrientes the Alto Parana merges
in, and swallows up the Paraguay in spite of its reimforcement
by the Bermejo, whose mouth is clearly visible from the town.
Then, assuming the right-of-way, it turns once more to the
south, and enters the Plate as the Parana proper (‘ the Mother
of the Ocean’). So it has come about that the Paraguay has
lost its pride of place as one of the world’s greatest waterways,
whilst the Uruguay rises into sudden importance as it takes
up the abandoned eastern route. When we read that the
Plate is formed by the junction of the Parana and the Uruguay,
the statement is true in fact, but not in proportion. The latter
river can, boast in all of but a thousand miles of length, whilst
the totals of the Paraguay and the Parana together sum over
4000 miles. A better idea would be given if we read: ‘The
River Plate is represented in South America by Parana and Co.’

“Tt has been necessary to dwell thus far on the vagaries of
the Parana system, inasmuch as they set a straight boundary
round the Mesopotamia, clearly defining the lines upon which
its future development must be laid. Its eastern boundary,

112 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

the River Uruguay, has an average width of one mile. Three
hundred miles from its mouth we find it broken in a series of

long, lagoon-like stretches, whose waters pour down in alter- |

nating rapids, and render serious navigation impracticable.
Briefly, above the town of Concordia, where the first serious
barrage occurs, the Uruguay is a glorified trout stream, On
the northern and western limit we overlook the Parana, not,
as in its higher reaches, a deep, swift river, but a degenerate
Parana—a stream whose width may be three or thirty miles,
according to the caprices of its sudden floods, beyond the
scope of modern engineering to bridge, and puzzling, with its
shallow channels and shifting islands, the most experienced
of river pilots. To the south lies the Plate estuary, leading to
the ocean.

“The Mesopotamia which is bounded by these rivers is
really a peninsula, whose neck in the N.E. corner is the terri-
tory of Misiones, the ancient stronghold of the Jesuit power
in the Southern Americas. On this side the red sandstone hills
fringing on Corrientes have as yet resisted the encroachment
of the tropic forest, which commences a few miles further
north. Here is the road by which the cattle from the uplands
of Brazil find their way to the south—a highway whose im-
portance will be increasingly felt as trade relations between
the two countries are drawn closer.

“There is little doubt that at a former period the ocean
extended far further into the interior, when the continental
waters discharged at what is now the junction of the Alto
Parana, the Paraguay, and the Bermejo. From this spot

southwards the land rises. Corrientes is gently undulating
and traversed by numerous streams that wander confusedly —
through marshy bottoms. Entre Rios, set upon the bar of
that ancient watershed, rises in ridges of an argillaceous for-

mation, running nearly due north and south. Both provinces
are covered with a rich cap of modern alluvium, save for a
strip along the banks of the Uruguay, where the red foothills

come down as far as the bar of Concordia, before mentioned. —

* Although it is only the north of Corrientes that crosses
the line of the tropics, life in this province frankly crosses the
semi-tropical stage. This is due to its low general altitude,

dna

ay even

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whee ot +

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ARGENTINA 118

combined with the near presence of large bodies of fresh water,
which convert it during the summer months into a gigantic
forcing house. The climate at this season is one of enervating
humidity. Maize, sweet potatoes, bananas, and mandioca
solve the easy problem of existence for a shiftless lower class.
Those who have higher ambitions may undertake the cultiva-
tion of a tobacco patch, selling a poor quality product at
equivalent prices. Orange groves are numerous; the diffi-
culty lies in procuring suitable labour to harvest and convey
the golden fruit to market. Peanuts will produce abundantly,
and the crop is readily bought up by the various oil mills
established on the banks of the Parana.

“The real Corrientes industry (the word is somewhat mis-
leading) is stock-raising, and that of a most primitive kind.
Sheep are relegated to a second place. The dependence of the
estanciero is on his cattle—the red-coloured, long-horned. kind,
that have become as famous as their brothers cf early Texas,
and meet with as little favour in the eyes of the city butcher.
They have won their place on the principle of the survival of
the fittest, for they live and flourish in places where orthodox
breeds die of redwater, Texas fever, and similar weaknesses.
They may be taken on forced marches through drought-
stricken regions, and their skeletons will still survive. They
can wander belly-deep into the great leechy morasses, and
browse contentedly on the floating water-grass. Herdsmen
freely admit that their bloated appearance after such a diet
is not the sign of a firm fatness, but hitherto that has been
deemed of but little moment. For at the long last the merit
of the Correntino cattle lies in their numbers; they are found
on the savannahs of Paraguay, on the uplands of Brazil and
Rio Grande. From all points they converge to where,-on the
lower reaches of the big rivers, the factories (over a dozen in
number) lie in wait for them. In Southern Entre Rios, across
the river in the ‘ Banda Oriental ’—to give to the Republic of
Uruguay its old Portuguese title—wherever the carcases are
there the saladeros are gathered together. In them the steers
are chopped into jerked meat for Brazil and Cuba, discrimi-
nated into Paysandu tongues, or boiled down to reappear later
as Bovril and Liebig’s Extract on the dining-tables of effete

I

114 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

Europeans. The export freezing trade of the Plate does not
touch this class of stock ; it is the roughage of the Republic,
and prices rule accordingly. From 10 dollars to 15 dollars
gold is the common quotation for fat steers or cows. The
number of animals treated by the Entre Rios factories is very
large, while the total that vanishes by way of the Mesopotamia
every year into the choppers’ yards and the melting pots is
over half a million.

“From the extreme N.E. corner stretching towards the
centre of the Entreriano Peninsula lies one of the unknown
and wholly unexplored portions of the Argentine Republic.
The great lagoon of ‘ shining waters,’ the ‘ Ubera,’ lays under
tribute directly or indirectly some 2000 square miles of land,
although the source of the rivers Corrientes and Merinay, its
level seldom alters, nor is it sensibly affected by prolonged
droughts. Its neighbourhood is heralded by an endless suc-
cession of ‘tacurus’ (red ant heaps), which stand from 3 to
6 ft. above the ground, or water, as the case may be. When
dry, the whole landscape much resembles a g'gantic Chinese
graveyard, while the holes under these heaps are the refuge
of innumerable snakes. On the edge of the permanent water
grows a high, almost impenetrable, fringe of rushes. In the
inner lake the fecundity of aquatic growth under a tropical
sun has led to the formation of islands, that change their shape
and station as the capricious winds and floods direct. These
floating ‘terra firma’ harbour, amongst other inmates, the
gigantic anaconda, a water-snake, that attains over 20 ft. in
length, and in girth the thickness of a man’s body. Here it

lies, as the natives firmly believe, waiting to devour the hap- —
less gaucho, horse, and all, who shall wander lost in the marshy ~

labyrinths.

“It is easy from our seat in the railway car (but a few years —

ago on its first journey through the province) to wave aside
such idle tales with the smoke of an after-dinner cigar, but the
half-Indian peasant of Corrientes is but a step removed from
the serf of the Spanish occupation. Modern sophistry will
leave him unconvinced until modern engineering drains the

fertile basin, and his superstitions vanish with the miasma of —

the rush-grown swamps.

s

ARGENTINA 115

“ Of the two provinces, that more favoured, both by its own
resources and by reason of its unique position on the Plate, is
undoubtedly Entre Rios. Its rolling lands are composed of a
stiff, black alluvium, overlying a subsoil well adapted to the
planting of trees. There is little trace here of the sand which
makes it so easy for the farmer to break up the flat pampas of
Buenos Aires. The limestone deposits near the town of Parana,
previous to the discovery of the quarries of Cordoba, set up
kilns which supplied the whole Republic. About one-third of

‘the country is covered with open belts of hardwood, in which

the Nandubay predominates. This tree grows in the likeness
of those straight-stalked, bunch-headed parodies that are
palmed off on confiding childhood in Noah’s arks—a design
which Providence has manifestly created for the purpose of
fence-posts. As the land has no companion hills from which
to tap its water supply, surface springs are rare, but between
the rolling downs run frequent watercourses. Banking these
gullies to catch the surface drainage is the commonest and
easiest system of providing water to the stock, but it is a broken
reed in time of drought, and much of the mortality during
recent years can be traced to this cause. Well-water may be
found at depths varying from 10 to 50 yards, according to
locality.

“ The near outlet of the province to the sea-board, its dower
of fair pastures, and its equable climate, have marked it from
the earliest days of Spanish occupation as a desirable posses-
sion; yet this very fact has retarded its advance. Happy is
the country without a history. Throughout the turbulent

_ growth of the young Republic Entre Rios has been a hotbed
of political unrest—the chosen stumping ground of revolu-
tionists. It was by way of the Mesopotamia that troops were
led to fight Brazil in the early twenties, and Paraguay in the
seventies, of last century ; it was across this province that the
irrepressible patriots marched who struck for the independence
of Uruguay, and it is here that discontented refugees from that
small adjoining State have ever found sympathy and a safe
refuge. Here it was finally that General Urquiza upheld
throughout a whole decade the standard of revolt that led to
the overthrow of the dictator Rosas, after the latter had ruled

116 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

the land with blood and iron for over twenty years. And these
have been but the main episodes in the drama. 1
‘In Entre Rios wheat-sowing is not, as in the Pampa region,
a mere preliminary to laying down alfalfa, That plant has
here a life of three to six years, but it does not attain the —
phenomenal growth of the west, nor, in the absence of near —
surface strata of water, is it so capable of withstanding a pro-
longed drought. Agriculture here stands purely on its own
general merits. The lesson to be learned by the colonists is
that farming for cereals alone is next-of-kin to pitch-and-toss, —
and that stock give the most sure and profitable returns when _
combined with intelligent agricalture. This fact has been —
sufficiently demonstrated by long years of bitter experience in
our own colonies and by the farmers of the United States. €
“The Province to-day carries 3,000,000 head of cattle, and —
although most of them, as in Corrientes, are native bred, they
contain a growing leaven of finer breeds, notably Shorthorn, —
which are rapidly improving the mass. The diseases to which _
these are subject are the same as in the other northern and ~
western provinces, on which I have already touched. Car-
buncle is less prevalent than in Cordoba, and apparently does
not get such a permanent hold on the ground, On the other E
hand, Texas fever is even worse than in Santa Fé, on account —
of the herds of cattle which are constantly marching south- _
wards through the tick-infested marshes of Corrientes. The —
remedies for the first consist, as elsewhere, in inoculation by —
Pasteur’s lymph ; for the second, timely and frequent dippings,
to which should be added the burning of all dry, rush-grown _
bottoms at their periods of maximum infestation by the tick.
“The quality of the native-bred horses of Entre Rios is
famous throughout the Plate. In proof thereof, they have
furnished in former years most of the famous ‘ criollo’ polo
ponies and to-day give one of the best foundations for crossing —
with a faster strain.
“Tracts of ground held by the large landowners are being _
broken up for agriculture in two ways. By the first the
colonist works the ground on shares with the owner (who
usually has to advance the money for preliminary expenses),
leaving the ground when exhausted and moving on to fresh, —

ARGENTINA 117

This system, with its tendency to high expenditure and
slovenly work, has little to recommend it, yet it is largely
practised. By the second method the land is thrown open to
purchase in instalments covering a period of four or more
years, in order that the buyer may, if possible, purchase his
ground from the profits made out of it after taking possession.
The longer the term granted, the higher the price. It follows
that both the owner and the purchaser therefore look with a
very lenient eye on the linseed gamble. Yet their ignorance
of the best principles of mixed farming can, scarcely be blamed
on the hard-working Italians, who form the bulk of the agri-
cultural class. Themselves but a step removed from the
working peon, they are naturally disinclined to venture out
of a tried, though worn-out, routine. In no part of Argentina
is the want more keenly felt of agricultural stations under
systematic Government control.

“ It says much for a faith in the future of Entre Rios that the
Jewish Colonisation Society have sunk here one-third of the
millions of the late Baron Hirsch in colonies on which to estab-
lish their countrymen. The character of the Russian or Polish
Jew is not often a favourable one on which to build up a
thriving pastoral centre, but the colonists are rapidly adapting
themselves to their new surroundings. Co-operative dairy-
farming has been started with marked success. This growing
industry has the cordial assistance of the railway local manage-
ment, which by liberal concessions has made every effort to
encourage these and other settlers in their plucky uphill fight
for prosperity.

“ Let us recapitulate. In the north of Corrientes we find
cheap breeding camps, which improve rapidly on being grazed
by horned stock, but are unsuitable for sheep. The border-
line of the provinces is a halting-place, where stock may be
interchanged and acclimatised. Finally, on the rich lands
near the delta, sheep-breeding, general agriculture, and the
fattening of northern cattle may be successfully combined.
Here are all the advantages of a near cash market and cheap
freights for produce, an ocean, port for wool and grain, sala-
deros for rough stock, and the great freezing factories at hand
to absorb unlimited quantities of finer-bred steers and wethers,

118 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

— —

‘There is much hope for the future of Entre Rios and her
sister lands. Argentine Governors are generally large land-
holders, and sometimes practical estancieros as well. In these
provinces they are rapidly beginning to understand that their
welfare is bound up with a steady development of the country’s
resources rather than in the arena of politics. In the near —
future also, the contending railroads must perforce cease $
from troubling, consolidating and extending their systems to
that mutual benefit of colonist and shareholder for which they
were originally created. Then, from the Alto Parana, from the
rich basin of which Asuncion in Paraguay has long been the
centre, most of the rich tropical products and all the quick
traffic will abandon the lazy rivers, with their hazardous bars
and twisting channels, and come swiftly across the rich penin-
sula. The long-horned cattle will whirl towards the south on
through trucks with inches of extra fat upon their ribs, and the
lolling peasant who views the inspiring sight will cast away his
home-made cigarette and get a firm hold on the foreign hoe.

“ We are treating of Spanish, and, indeed, to some extent,
of Indian-Spanish America ; yet the prophecy is not far off
fulfilment. For the land, which for over a century was a bone
of contention between the keen-nosed Spanish and Portuguese
explorers, whose fertility received the hall-mark of Jesuit
settlement, which is bounded by mighty rivers, rich forests,
and fertile uplands, and while facing the ocean, holds also the
key to the main gateway of the South American continent,
can never fail of a generous share in the tide of progress,
which is steadily carrying forward the best interests of the
Argentine Republic.

SADT eRe mia tame cireeinmtemne irene.

Tue Back CoUuNTRY

“Tt is highly advisable for the intending colonist in Argen-
tina to have a certain acquaintance with those territories —
which lie outside of the strictly pastoral zone. They furnish
even now a home market for his produce, and as the country —
opens up there can be no doubt that certain of these districts >
will become of much greater commercial importance than is
at present imagined.

‘* First in the list we will place the ‘Gran Chaco,’ a term

ARGENTINA 119

which, meaning literally a thicket, is applied generally to all
the tract of forest land south of the Pilecomayo River lying
between the Andean foothills and the Parana. Its area is
close on 9000 square miles (23,000,000 hectares, to be exact),
of which a bare tenth has passed into private hands, and of this,
again, but a fractional part-exploited. Its formation is dis-
tinct from that found in any other forest of tropic South
America. A few inches of surface alluvial overlie a stiff boulder
clay, from 10 to 20 ft. thick, which in its turn rests upon a
substratum of pure sand. All well water must be obtained
from this sand, the depth at which it occurs varying in inverse
proportion to the distance of the bore from the banks of the
great parent river.

“The timber in the Chaco is not continuous. It occurs in
long, narrow strips, which take a north and south direction,
and are interspersed with open ground in the proportion of,
perhaps, 40 per cent forest to 60 per cent of prairie. These
glades are, as a rule, covered with a rough pampa grass, but
where the clay lies directly on the surface there is only swamp,
worthless cactus, and thorny undergrowth. The whole for-
mation irresistibly suggests a previous inundation, in which
the parts now occupied by the forest have stood out above
the subsiding waters. So strong is the resemblance that the
belts of timber are known locally as ‘ isletas,’ or islands.

“The value of these islands lies in the fact that their woods
are composed for the greater part of ‘ quebracho,’ a red hard-
wood, which also contains a valuable tanning extract. On
this account it resists indefinitely the action of water or dry
rot, and is much used for fence posts and general construction
work. It makes the finest railway sleeper in the world,
weighing nearly as much as lignum vitae, with a specific
gravity of 1.27, compared to 1.33 of the latter. It thus adds
greatly to the solidity of a road-bed, especially during the
trials of construction.

“A league of good Chaco ground will yield 10,000 tons of
quebracho logs. Thus its value depends almost entirely on
the cost of timber transport to the nearest station. The limit
of profitable cartage does not extend beyond 20 miles from the
railway, beyond which the country is practically unknown.

120 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

“Tt will be seen that there is good business in the Chaco, for
the value of the timber covers both the initial cost of the land
and the expense of settling and stocking it with cattle. On
the other hand, settlers earn their profits under conditions
which are the reverse of tempting. The hard, uncompromising
nature of the quebracho itself gives the keynote to the whole
region. Over more than half the country the Indians, numbered
roughly at 20,000, are still sufficiently hostile to make it
necessary for exploiting parties to omit no precautions.

‘ Nevertheless, the Chaco is being steadily invaded. As the

hardwoods are cut down the underbrush is fired, and its place.

is taken by coarse rushes and grass. This in its turn is replaced
by softer herbage, which follows on the hoofs of the pioneer
eattle herds. Six or eight years suffice to convert dense forest
land into moderate pasture. At no very distant date the Chaco
will be shorn of its dreaded forests, and the cattle-raising in-
dustry, which is now but a means of feeding the lumber-
workers, will grow till the district becomes a reserve from which
the alfalfa camps of North Santa Fe will draw their supply of
horned stock for fattening. The present beginnings of this

trade are responsible for the scourge of ticks and tick fever

which infests the Santa Fé farms. The Chaco shares with
Corrientes the bad eminence of being the natural home of this
pest, and neglect of this and similar dangers to the pastoral
wealth of the Republic constitutes one of the gravest charges
against its rulers.

“Let us turn our eyes elsewhere—to the foothills of the
Andes that lie west of the pampas of Buenos Aires. The
moisture-bearing winds, which bring verdure by a thousand
rushing streams to the valleys of the Patagonian and pre-

Cordillera, are here diverted by the increasing height and —

solidity of the great divide. North of Lake Nahuel Huapi,
the eastern slopes present for over 600 miles a barren and almost
rainless tract. It is true that the soil is fertile under irrigation,
but the patches which have so far been reclaimed, with the
help of the hill-streams, stand out as small oases in a barren
wilderness of sand, scrub, and rock.

“This is the wine district of Argentina, and in the year 1900
it produced 125,076,954 litres. The industry is chiefly,centred

sia

Soy

sits a

ARGENTINA 121

in the town of Mendoza, lying opposite Valparaiso, in Chile,
with the Uspallata pass holding open the gate between them.

“In the broken country that lies directly north of Mendoza
are located the best paying mines as yet discovered in the
Republic. Gold is in most cases too thinly scattered in the
hard rock to admit of profitable working, but there is plenty
of copper, silver, and lead. Mining ventures in Argentina have
so far met with poor fortune owing to the difficulties of trans-
port and the situation of the lodes in places where there is
neither water nor fuel within reach. Moreover, there is a
general impression in Buenos Aires that a league of alfalfa
and a herd of good dairy cows is better than any gold
mine. They are right. For mining magnates there are few
or none; but estancieros prosper in the land, and multiply
exceedingly.

** All along where these foothills merge into the great central
pampas an increased rainfall permits the growth of coarse -
grass. Well water here is too far below the surface for even
_ an alfalfa root to reach it, and the scanty herbage only affords
grazing for a limited number of poor native stock. Fencing
is a heavy item on the scattered, barren ranges, nor is there
much inducement for the farmer to settle on them, when the
fertile lowlands lie so close to hand. Goats abound, however,
and this region accounts for the majority of the “ poor man’s
cows,” of which there are 8,000,000 scattered throughout the
length and breadth of Argentina. The rider hurrying through
the higher scrub of North Cordoba is often surprised by a bleat
from overhead. A second glance will discover a point of these
accommodating animals browsing contentedly amongst the
tree-tops, whence they gaze down serenely upon the parched
earth.

“On the road between Mendoza and Valparaiso lies the
famous natural ‘ Bridge of the Inca.’ This is the highway of
the cattle transport to Chili, which is, however, sensibly
diminishing. Owing to the rough shale-strewn roads, which
it is impossible to avoid when crossing the pass, all cattle are
shod before the ascent begins. This difficult task is carried
through with the ease of much practice. The animals are
lassoed, and thrown on their broad backs, Their hoofs are

122 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

secured to four separate stakes, and almost before they are
aware of it the novel footgear is firmly fixed for the week’s
journey. Every peon who works in the cattle trade in this
district is a rough farrier, and carries in his roll the tools of
the trade.

‘When we reach latitude 26 deg., abreast of the province
of Tucaman, the Andean chain grows yet bolder. On the
Pacific slope it preserves a fair parallel to the ocean, but it
encroaches steadily on the Argentine side, throwing out fresh
spurs constantly, till it reaches its maximum in the Bolivian
‘massif,’ which rounds off the N.W. boundary of the Republic.

‘Earthquakes are felt more on the Chilian than on the
Argentine side. The tops of these mountain ranges have
from the date of their volcanic birth been abandoned to the
mercy of fierce air currents and torrential rains. Denudation
under these conditions has gathered at their base, and in the
cloven valleys there are pockets of soil of great fertility,
covered for the most part with dense forest, and suitable for
the growth of sub-tropical and tropical produce. The province
of Tucuman, called the ‘Garden of the Republic,’ is such a
pocket, situated at the foot of the Aconquija spur.

‘Tt would be unfair to conclude our review of the Republic
without a glance at Misiones, the smallest of the national
territories, which lies huddled between the upper reaches of
the Uruguay and Parana, at the point where their waters most

nearly approach each other. Connecting the Mesopotamia —

with the Brazilian highlands, there is no portion of the Re-
public which has been more written about, and less visited.
Three hundred years ago the Jesuits recognised the value of
this unique position at the navigable limit of the two great
rivers. In 1732, previous to the decree that broke their power,
the pioneer monks had brought under their control upwards
of 200,000 Indians, collected in the thirty settlements from
which Misiones takes its name to-day. The ridge, which runs
through the centre of the territory to the coast plateau of
Brazil, is covered with extensive pine forests (Araucaria
Brazilensis), and amongst them are scattered clumps of ‘ yerba

maté,’ the universal brew that takes the place of tea to the K

_—

working man in the Plate. The lower part of the land, which —

e

ARGENTINA 128

borders the rivers, is covered with valuable hardwoods. But
the stock-growing instinct of the latter-day Argentine colonist
is opposed to tropical pioneering, so in spite of the glowing
description of scientific enthusiasts, the greater part of Misiones
is not only uninhabited, but even unexplored.

“The falls on the Iguazu River, dividing the north of
Misiones from Brazil, are of greater height and extent than
those of Niagara, though their volume is not so great or so
constant. The foilowing are the measured dimensions :
Height of Niagara, 150 to 164 ft. ; width, 2260 ft.; height of
Iguazu, 200 to 210 ft. ; width, 9000 ft. (nearly).

“The factor which must influence the colonist in his choice
of a site more than any other in Argentina is that of transport,
and transport here means the railroad. The only navigable
rivers tap a tropical zone, which is less suited for white colonists
than the healthy south. From the Plate to the Straits of
Magellan, Bahia Blanca is the only port worthy of the name.
On the railroads, therefore, lies the burden of the country’s
business, and their successful management is vital to its
prosperity.

“ Settlers are often tempted by the low price of rich lands
into purchasing farms far beyond the railway zone. This is a
good investment for the capitalist, but not for the working
farmer. Against the cheapness of the land must be placed the
cost of transport, which remains as a constant charge on the
property, while the want of touch with markets means the loss
of many a good bargain. :

“ Tf, however, he has elected to try his fortune there, the
farmer should rent land rather than buy it, cut his expenses
down to the lowest possible limit, and put all his money into
his stock. To attempt agriculture is unwise, except to supply
local needs, it is to give hostages to fortune, for a sack of wheat
cannot walk itself to market, nor can it get out of the way of
floods or drought, as the farmers in Chubut and N. Santa Fé
know to their cost. For these reasons, cattle are to be pre-’
ferred when possible to sheep, for while they give less profit,
there is also less risk of total loss, and there is no point in
Argentina from which their own legs will not carry them
unaided to a good market.

124 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

“To live, and let live; to know how to combine healthy
pleasure and sound business ; to eschew politics and law-suits ;
to deal courteously and justly with all men—these are the
lines that have been followed by those of our countrymen
who have won for themselves to-day name and fortune in —
Argentina. There is no real obstacle to deter those who would _
follow their example. In the bustling marts, or on the wind- ‘
swept pampa, in the virgin forest, or beneath the shadow of |
the great Cordillera, there is room and to spare for all. And —
nowhere will an Englishman, be he home-bred or colonial, meet

with a heartier welcome than from those of his countrymen :
whose footsteps have pointed a path to the fertile shores of —
the River Plate. d
‘
Tue PLate Coast BELT nn
“The sheep runs of Patagonia, the alfalfa paddocks of the _
central Pampas, the rich loams of the Mesopotamia—each }
zone of Argentina has its advocates. Yet, whatever success
may have attended them in their own particular district, none
will deny, when pressed to a statement, that a league of camp v
near Buenos Aires is worth two anywhere else. :
‘Apart from its importance politically, the province of —

Buenos Aires is, without doubt, the richest pastoral district ,
of its extent in the world. The soil consists of from 2 to 3 ft. 7
of black alluvial top-dressing, rendered friable by an admixture
of sand and lime, while below it comes a marl, fairly free from _
clay, but forming under certain conditions into a hard pan, —
locally known as ‘ tosca.’ Running through this formation, —
and separated by these beds of hard pan, are different strata
of water, the first of which is found at depths varying from
20 to 70 ft., the others following at depths of perhaps only a —
few yards. As a rule, well-water found near the Plate estuary
is of good quality, witness the numerous and flourishing —
breweries. As we travel west into the Pampas, the influence”
of its vast volume gradually lessens, till on the plains that —
stand midway between the Cordilleras and the coastline the

water becomes brackish, and at times undrinkably bitter.
This quality is, without doubt, due to the great quantity of

6

yp

anes

ARGENTINA 125

free calcareous matter which the soil, formerly an ocean bed,
contains, and through which the hill streams percolate on their
way to the ocean. The average rainfall of the coast belt is
some 35 in., and with the usual interlude of a short dry spell
in early summer, is throughout the remainder of the year a
fairly constant quantity.

“ Happy is the country without a history. Happy, we may
add, is the farm that has no scenery. The traveller who has
no farming interests soon wearies of the monotonous fertility
of the panorama that unfolds itself to his gaze from the win-
dows of the excellent trains that serve the rich littoral. He
turns with a yawn to the distractions of his magazine, and his
verdict, delivered later to inquiring friends, is that Argentina
is the flattest country that he has ever seen. It may not be
strict grammar—once a country is flat it stays so—but it is
strict truth. Sheep at midday loom up as big as oxen in the
refraction that quivers up from the hot, unvarying surface.
Distances are deceiving to newcomers. The fence we start to
walk out to appears to be farther off than we expected. That
dark clump, however, which we take to be the eucalyptus
grove shadowing some estancia house is within easy riding
distance, for our horizon is limited to a very few miles. As we
draw nearer the tree-trunks rise up before us in the very
manner of a vessel’s masts at sea, and when we finally dis-
mount in their shade we see on the new horizon around us
other clumps, hull down. A colonist could plant his plough-
‘share in the rich, brown-black earth above Rosario, and,
save for an occasional watercourse and the eternal wire
fence, draw a level furrow for 700 miles straight south,
to where the hills of Curumalan, rising inconsequently out of
the flat prairies, mark the neighbourhood of the port of
Bahia Blanca.

“Two hundred miles above Buenos Aires the main current
of the Parana has scoured a deep channel at the foot of the
tall bluffs that here bound its western bank. This has been a
good and sufficient reason for the growth of Rosario, the com-
mercial centre of Santa Fé province and second in importance
in the Republic.

‘ Between Buenos Aires and Rosario is found a bed of ex-

126 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

ceptionally rich alluvial stretching some forty miles inland.
This is the pick of the maize country. As the cars whirl along
the long green rows come down to meet them in seemingly
endless parallels, yielding to 80 bushels per acre, even under
the rule-of-thumb methods to which the Italian farmer (and
they are all Italians here) is wedded.

* A short 30 miles south of Buenos Aires is situated the city
of La Plata, a stucco sepulchre of mis-spent capital, whose sole
claim to importance lies in its title to be called the provincial
capital. The mania for establishing artificial towns outside a
radius of commercial activity furnishes a curious comment on
the Argentine character.

“ Following the coast for yet ancther 50 miles, we come to
Cape Las Piedras, which marks the entrance of the Plate
estuary on the Argentine side, and is also the upper cape of
San Borombon Bay. It is an insignificant, poor-spirited bay
—a quarter bite from the side of a big apple—but its name has
a large significance to the most important sheep-breeding
district in the country. The River Salado, rising at a point
200 miles directly inland from Buenos Aires, and resembling
a long series of lagoons rather than a river, halts through a
series of imperceptible depressions till it reaches the inner lip
of San Borombon. Here it meets with a succession of low
sand-dunes thrown up along the coast by the action of the
tides. After heavy rains the water is sufficiently served by
the narrow outlet of the river, whose bar has, moreover, 2
constant tendency to silt up.

“ As the coastline falls round into the port of Bahia Blanca,

it is roughly paralleled by the scattered outcrop of the Ven- —
tana hills running to meet those of Curumalan, of whose —

system they form a part. The height nowhere exceeds 4000
feet, and on nearing them their rugged outline is found to be
fissured by numerous fertile valleys. These collect sufficient
moisture to send down half a dozen streams to the coast, the
longest of which does not exceed 100 miles, while their volume
varies in exact proportion to the local rainfall.

“ The progress of the coast belt—as indeed that of the whole
Republic—is inseparably bound up with its railway develop-
ment, The sandy shores do not favour a sheltered anchorage.

poh ese hey

ARGENTINA 127

Between Buenos Aires and Bahia Blanca there is none worthy
the name, and Buenos Aires port itself is largely artificial.
Within the queen province every ton of freight and every
bucket of water must be brought to its destination by arti-
ficial means. Without railways and wells, the pampa would
be as impossible for modern settlers as it was for the
Indians who formerly lived on the fringe of the great grass
desert, crossing it only in times of stress, and then in forced
marches.

“The first impulse to colonisation was given in the year —
1856, when General Mitre—Argentina’s grand old man—
granted to the Central Railway the most liberal concession
ever accorded in this country. It included the free gift of a
league of the nation’s land on each side of the line along the
total length of its construction. The railway, which was the
first to connect the towns of Buenos Aires and Rosario, formed
a separate department to deal with its real estate, which it
sold, and is still selling in small lots and on easy payment
terms to bona fide settlers. Thus, the districts through which
the line passed were soon colonised. As an, unlooked-for con-
sequence, agriculture for over twenty years was practically
confined to the north.

“Tt seems nowadays almost incredible that landowners
should for so long have remained ignorant of the possibilities
of the great alfalfa zone in the centre, or that the finest wheat
farms in the Republic (those within the radius of Bahia Blanca)
should have remained untouched till a few years ago. Perhaps
the real reason lay in the absence of any experimental farms.
Landowners in the Argentine are a conservative class, and
incline to a tried and well-worn routine rather than to ex-
periment.

“Intensive farming is practically unknown in the Plate.
The reason is that the safest investment for a farmer’s spare
cash has hitherto been the lands around him, which within
twenty years have doubled, trebled, and even quadrupled in
value. While fine stock may die and buildings deteriorate,
land has none of these drawbacks, and ‘is bound to go up.’
So many new districts have been opened up, and their pur-
chase and repurchase have absorbed so much of the estanciero’s ©

128 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

money, that the margin left for improvements has been com-
paratively small. The land tax, or ‘ contribucion directa,’
favours such speculation. Its percentage on the value of pro-
perty is comparatively low, and is based on actual rather than
potential production.

“ Although the province of Buenos Aires now leads in the
area laid down to agriculture as well as in the average yield
per acre, there is no doubt that for many years her main in-
terests will still continue to be pastoral. One reason has already
been given for this—in the absence of agricultural stations.
Another is that although commercially the importance of a
new breed of wheat may equal that of blood stock, stock-
breeders on the Plate coast enjoy many advantages, or, rather,
a combination of advantages, which are denied their competi-
tors elsewhere. Few artificial foods are needed, and these,
consisting chiefly of maize and alfalfa, are grown at a minimum
cost. The grass which springs up after the introduction of
stock to a new pasture is extremely rich, while its growth is
practically unchecked throughout the year. In winter the
degree of cold seldom produces more than a slight hoar frost,
but loss is common among thin herds in the driving south-west

storms that in early spring sweep unchecked over the Pampas, _

lasting sometimes from three to five days.

“The natural fertility of their pastures has led many, I
might truthfully say the majority, of the farmers to risk
fully stocking their paddocks. This, greatly profitable in
a good year, is nevertheless equivalent to overstocking,

for a bad season must at times be reckoned with. With —

no_reserves to fall back upon, the result to the farmer is then —

disastrous.”

The freezing companies are helping to improve Argentine
live-stock. Take shipments of pure-bred pigs, for instance ;
these are distributed through the country to the estancieros

and farmers at cost price, so as to help to improve the present —
breed of pigs. Export of frozen pork is shortly to be very ©

large from the country. Another way the companies help is
in the prices they pay for champion steers at the fat-stock

show. This is done to encourage the breeders to go in for a }

quality. At a recent show the champion steer fetched £2190,

fag 0e

ie i ig, ete a

ARGENTINA 129

and three other steers £2270 each. The Swift Company bought
116 steers for £21,800, and 333 wethers for £2164. This com-
pany has recently purchased 900,000 square metres of land in
Saladillo, province of Buenos Aires, and work on a huge
frigorifico is in hand. In fact, new freezing works are being
erected in various parts of the country and well up the River
Plate. The Government assists companies of all kinds to erect
manufactories, by exemption from import duties and by
making other concessions.

The Sociedad Rural Argentina proposes that a National
Congress should be held in which would be represented all
the cattle breeders of the country. The following points
are suggested as being suitable for consideration at such a
Congress : interchange of live-stock with adjoining countries ;
study regarding the sale of live-stock produce ; subsidiary in-
dustries ; international exhibitions ; nationalisation of marks
and brands ; roads, watering stations, and pasturage for the
trooping of animals ; woolwashing and textile manufactures ;
the defence of the live-stock industry ; forage, sanitary ; ex-
portation of live-stock ; freights; the dairy industry ; prac-
tical live-stock farming schools. It is hoped that such a Con-
gress would be attended by delegations of the National Govern-
ment and of the rural societies throughout the Republic.
Neighbouring countries would also be asked to be represented,
in order to discuss at special sessions of the Congress the four
points first mentioned in the above programme.

Summing up the possibilities of this wonderful territory of
Argentina, they are very large, and Europe can look to that
country for enormous supplies, and probably increased sup-
plies for many years to come. Naturally, as the population
increases, more meat will be required locally ; but there is
ample room in the Republic to increase the live-stock at a
larger rate than that of the population.

*

REFRIGERATOR Motor TRUCKS

A representative of a large cattle estancia in Argentina
recently placed orders in New York for 100 refrigerator motor
trucks for use on several estancias. The motors are of high

K

130 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

power, with a carrying capacity of at least five tons. Each
car is equipped with a complete refrigerating plant, so that
as the car travels it will keep meats at a low temperature for
export shipment. The Argentine cattle growers plan to kill
the cattle on their properties, dress the beef, load it in re-
frigerator cars, and so send it to the stores at the seaports
and ship it to North America and Europe. The estancia above
referred to, which purchased the hundred refrigerator motor
trucks, is 260 miles from a railroad station. Cattle have
hitherto been driven afoot from the property to the nearest
railroad station or city, and there slaughtered and trans-
formed into export beef. The new plan will cut out the slow
movement of cattle on foot, and save much time and money.
It will also open up new meat sources.

—
=.

The Director of Rural Economy and Statistics of Argentina —

recently presented the following report to the Government
and a statistical return concerning cattle and the consumption
and exportation of meat for the year 1917, with comparative
figures for the quinquennial period 1913-1917 :—

Total killings during 1917 were as under :—

Cattle. Sheep. Pigs:
At Liniers slaughterhouses » Oi 404,231 1,030,292 115,900
At meat freezing works, “‘saladeros,”’ Mi

and meat factories .. 2,496,284 2,233,896 193,383
At the 2356 municipal and ‘priv ate

slaughterhouses w hich have sup-

plied data .. s ys Nee els 2 7G 521,999 77,041

4,028,139 3,786,187 386,324 —

In order to arrive at the total killings for the whole country
it would be necessary to ascertain the number of animals

slaughtered on estancias and farms for their own meat
supplies, and in some small slaughterhouses of which we —
possess no data. We endeavour, however, to arrive at this E

total fgure by another means, viz. by taking the number “
hides exported and utilised in the country. During-1917,
round figures, the number was 5,873,000. Compared itt
the ascertained killings, this figure shows a difference of
1,845,000, so that our statistics regarding killings comprise —
over 68.5 per cent of the total.

SA RE ST ey

®

;

ARGENTINA 131

Cows and Steers

The proportions of steers and cows slaughtered at “* frigori-
ficos ’ and slaughterhouses, registered during the past seven
years, were as under :—

Years. Steers. Cows. oF

MOUS) ig ae .. 2,402,668 506,741 17-4
1914.. ee ee te Be, 2n 289-804 786,102 25°5
1915.. ae nig .. 2,210,919 874,926 28-3
1916 .. _ si .. 2,503,090 919,248 26-9
LIS: I ea a a .. 2,803,675 1,038,918 27:0

These proportions undergo considerable variation, when we
treat of the destination of the animals :—

Total Cows %

and Steers. of Cows.
Liniers .. bs 281,950 43-4
Municipal and priv ate slaughter ahs ee OOs ao 54-4
e Frigorificos ” Bk PP PTT i 11-6
““Saladeros ”’ and presery ed meat factories . . 262,254 10-9

Calves are not included in these comparative returns, but it
may be mentioned that they only represented 43 per cent of
the total of 4,028,139 indicated above.

Frigorificos and Preserved Meat Factories.

The figures relative to “‘ frigorifico ” killings show a Rabicca
increase since 1915, although there have been fluctuations :—

Year. Cattle. Sheep. Pigs.

1913 7. +s .- 1,608,983 2,489,461 4,756
1914 a Ns .. 1,588,878 2,889,164 13,977
1915 aN zs .. 1,640,846 1,948,099 43,172
1916 a ae .. 2,101,550 2,646,713 75,592
1917 be Be .. 2,496,284 2,233,896 193,383

By converting the above figures into tons, we arrive at a
more just appreciation of their importance from a commercial
point of view. The following table shows in tons the quantity
of meat which has left the “ frigorificos ”’ and meat factories
for export and for home consumption :—

Mutton Pig
Year. Beef. and Lamb. ‘Meat. Totals.
£9T3 3. sets 019,633 65,420 357 585,410
19l4.. ea Oe 296: 73,811 791 585,898
1 Sea VE 522,557 50,765 3j0a0 576,855
1916 .. .- 640,148 67,638 4,534 712,220

Uae -- 690,133 56,381 15,935 762,449

132 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

Meat supplied by “ frigorificos ’ for home consumption
represents approximately 12 per cent of the total weight
produced at such establishments ; this is the average per-
centage over the quinquennial period 1912-1917, but in 1917
there was an increase of 18,163,000 kilos, and during the first
six months of the current year a still further notable increase
has taken place.

Exportation.

The following table shows, in tons, the quantities of dead
meat for export produced by “ frigorificos ” and preserved
meat factories :—

Mutton Pig
Year. Beef. and Lamb. Meat. Totals.
LO1Sien .. 447,674 59,291 — 506,965
1914 .. 444,533 68,582 299 513,414
ASLD. 5 450,955 45,682 2,979 499,616
TONG. 25 he 584,599 62,005 2723 649,327
OUT. cs 4 619,698 47,269 14,335 681,302

Home Consumption

In order to estimate the per capita consumption of meat in
the Federal capital, we take as a basis the number of inhabi-
tants as given in the municipal statistics, and the number and
weight of the carcases of meat as reported by the slaughter-
houses at Liniers and the “ frigorificos.”” The following is the
result, showing the consumption in kilos per inhabitant :—

Mutton Pig

Years. Population. Beef. & Lamb. Meat. Totals.
1911 a .. 1,360,406 125 24 7 156
1912 ae .. 1,428,042 116 17 6 139
1913 Bir .. 1,480,000 106 12 7 125
1914 fel .. 1,584,106 85 12 9 106
1915 ae .. 1,598,511 85 10 10 105
1916 i .. 1,612,825 74 12 11 97
1917 H .. 1,624,885 76 17 7 100

It will be noted that the consumption of meat has diminished
considerably since 1911, but the consumption of 100 kilos per
inhabitant may be regarded as very high for a centre of popu-
lation where there is such a variety of foodstuffs available as
in Buenos Aires, and during a period when the cost of living
has attained a high level hitherto unknown. It could be de-

duced from this fact that in Argentina meat is, relatively

as)

ARGENTINA 133

speaking, one of the least expensive articles of food, or that,
in spite of everything, the economic level of the “‘ consumer ”
is, on the whole, a satisfactory one.

CATTLE WEIGHTS: LIVE AND DEAD

It is always of interest to cattlemen to know how the dead-
weight of a beast compares with the live-weight ; therefore,
a few particulars relating to the meat yields of prize animals
recently sold at the fat-stock show at Buenos Aires will be of
interest :—

On Arrival Freez- On Afternoon Yield
ing Works with- of Day of Meat— Fat. Hides.
out being Fed previous to Cold
or Watered. Killing. Weight.
Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs.
1850 ae 1950 ore 1233 ae 89-3 Oe 88-2
1910 5 1975 e 1286 sg 119 ses 83-7
1850 se 1960 9 1252 Bie 112-4 24 79-4
1635 a 1680 Be 1144 . 84-9 sic 83-8
1725 ae 1815 et 1163 ap 106-9 Be 79-4
1625 ie 1655 Ses 1102 mG TST Bt 81-6
1725 ae 1755 ae 1128 ae 91-5 Pas 83-8
1650 a 1720 Be 1098 7 88-2 oe 88-2
1300 ch 1365 Bt 825 ae 49-6 ae 5

First Prizk SHORTHORN Cow, CAIRNCOSH JILT, ENGLISH Roya
Snow, 1915. Exureirep By Mr. W. M, CazaLer

BRAZIL

Brazit extends from latitude 9° south to 30° south. It is
bounded on the north by British, French, and Dutch Guiana,
and Venezuela; on the west by Colombia, Ecuador, Peru,
Bolivia and Paraguay ; on the south by Uruguay and Argen-
tina; and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean. It is
mountainous, with vast stretches of undulating country
with wide valleys containing rich pasture. It covers an area
of 3,292,693 square miles, with a population of over 23
millions.

According to statistics published by the Ministry of Agri-
culture, there exist 30,000,000 cattle, 7,000,000 horses, 3,207,000
asses and mules, 10,000,000 goats, 7,500,000 sheep, and nearly
18,500,000 pigs.

The richest pastoral states are Rio Grande do Sul, Minas
Geraes, Sao Paulo, Matto Grosso, Goyaz, Piauhy.

The urgent world demand for beef has given the live-stock
industry of Brazil a tremendous impetus, and the development
of live-stock raising and the packing-house industry will
probably make great strides within the next few years.

Until recent years no serious attempts had been made by
ranch-owners to improve their cattle breeds or the general
conditions of the grazing lands. Entire lack of transportation
facilities and consequent low selling prices gave no stimalus

to the industry. The completion of many new lines of rail-

roads, and the recent great increase in the price of live cattle
all over the world, have given the greatest impetus to the

cattle industry, with the added fact that more attention is —
being paid to the conditions of production and converting —

into meat prodacts. Until recently the losses among cattle

<

— aatiielsth oo celal

ae Eo

A Ps IA tris Sigh

annually were enormous, due to diseases and the lack of proper _

attention onthe ranches. Salt is scarce, as the country has no
natural deposits, and this aggravates the situation in the case
134

HILLVO IVOMAY, : TZVAG NI ONISIVY WILLVO

BRAZIL 137

of epidemics. Floods in the lowland section have also been
an important factor in annual losses.

With the development of the railroads of the State and the
consequent opening of easier foreign markets through Buenos
Aires and Monte Video, and national markets through the
ports of Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Rio Grande do Sul, Pelotas
and Port Alegre, the cattle industry has become more stable
and the improvement in the type of cattle has been marked
in recent years.

Several meat companies have erected works, and others are
in. course of erection. Capitalists from the United States and
Great Britain have at last realised what an enormous and handy
source of meat supply is available in Brazil, and are now fast
developing it. The export trade has expanded in a remark-
able manner, and the country bids fair soon to become one
of the most important sources of supply. In 1915—the first
year of foreign trading—the exports were 8000 tons ; in the
following year they increased to 33,130 tons; while in 1917
66,450 tons of beef were shipped, chiefly to the Continent,
for the Italian and French armies. The beef is small and very
suitable for those countries.

The Government has offered considerable advantages to
breeders of cattle, to encourage the importation of live-stock.
It intends also to facilitate in every way—both financially and
otherwis:—the importation of large numbers of first-class
cattle ; the import of as many as 120,000 bulls is contemplated
within the next few years. Already many head of cattle have
been brought down from the United States. Many have been
imported from the Argentine, and 60 Zebus were recently im-
ported from India, fetching very high prices. A syndicate is
shortly to be formed to import cattle from the United Kingdom,
which is to be backed up by the Government. At present, it
is only a question of bulls; but it is probable that the idea will
also expand to include the importation of cows, sheep and pigs.

The Government is willing to expend also a large sum of
money to help the local breeders, and allow free transport by
rail. How much more brainy are the politicians in this country
than those in Australia, where the stock-owner bears the brunt
of all the additional taxation and freight !

138 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

Brazil offers a great and remunerative field in the raising of
cattle for beef and its many by-products. It has unlimited
tracts of land served by railroads, with plenty of running
water.

It can raise cattle from the valley of the Amazon in the —
north downward to the most southern State—Rio Grande do —
Sul, but the centre of this great industry will always be the —
State of Sao Paulo, not only for the fertility of its soil and —
climate, but also for its geographical conditions and railroad —
facilities. Most of the beef produced in that progressive part —
and its neighbouring States will have to be treated and shipped —
to Santos, the great coffee seaport. Thanks to the activity
and vision of the people of Sao Paulo, the export of beef and
its by-products is free.

A great many people in Brazil look upon beef as a product —
bound to supersede the principal staple—coffee—never realis- _
ing that this product is bound to work together with cattle.
The fertilisers brought out by the new industry will be a
splendid contribution for the keeping of the coffee trees in—
better health and for longer years.

At the initiation of the National Agricultural Society
(Sociedade Nacionale de Agricultura), the first conference on
Brazilian cattle was recently held ‘in Rio de Janeiro. Among
the many questions taken up were :—

Prebable origin of the different Brazilian breeds, causes of
their degeneration, and means of improving them. Mesological
influences on the various domestic animals in Brazil. Pro-—
ductive capacity of Brazilian cattle with reference to all
modern industries derived therefrom. World statistics, produc-.
ing and consuming countiies. Study of the conditions of the
consuming world as to quality and quantity. Production and
over-production, supply and demand. Tastes of the consumer
and the causes, whether permanent or temporary. Direct and
indirect Federal, State, and municipal assistance in the de-
velopment of the cattle industry and the improvement of it
products. ° .

Thorough and eminently practical courses on all subjects:
relating to cattle and subordinate industries. Formation of a
corps of veterinaries, bacteriological inspectors, and necessary

BRAZIL 139

experts, to be attached to all establishments exploiting the
numerous secondary industries.

Commercial transactions in cattle and products ; large and
small companies ; co-operation. Necessity to create standards
according to the requirements of the consumer. Elements
that must be taken into consideration in the location of estab-
lishments for the manufacture of and commerce in cattle
products ; application of natural forces in the operation of
plants, shipping ports, docks and railroad stations.

Selection of different systems for the complete utilisation
of all by-products. Means of safeguarding the products for
consumption ; their preservation in the plants, during trans-
portation and at the distributing centres. Preservation of the
various products by artificial cold, preserving substances, heat,
evaporation, etc. Special study of all methods of refrigeration.

Organisation, of transportation service with a view to speed,
comfort of animals, preservation, of products, sanitary require-
ments, and low freight rates. Direct Government supervision
over transportation, from both industrial and sanitary points
of view.

Study of all cattle diseases—local and imported—their pre-
vention and cure. How to avoid propagation and to bring
about the extinction of animals, parasites, and plants in-
jurious to cattle. Improvements of pastures, extension of
alfalfa culture, value of agricultural sub-products as food for
cattle.

Also the best methods of raising full-bred saddle, army and
truck horses, mules, donkeys, sheep, goats, pigs, and fowls ;
how to improve the breeds, and a detailed study of all the in-
dustries derived from these animals.

Establishment of zootechnic stations and model farms.
Practical and economical means of collecting statistics of all
the animals of Brazil. Necessity of studying a progressive
taxation system to assist the production, consistent with the
Government's interests. Legislation. Uniform sanitary in-
spection of animals in all the States. Prizes to raisers who
introduce new processes to improve breeding.

This shows that the Brazilians are alive to the importance
of their pastoral industry.

140 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

Brazilian cattle derived from the primitive herds are small,
weighing on an average about 400 lbs. dressed. However, the
importation of sires is rapidly taking place, and the improve-
ment already is most noticeable.

In a paper I read in Chicago before the Congress of Re-
frigeration in 1913, I forecasted exactly what has happened.
In that, I said that Brazil and South Africa would be large
suppliers of frozen beef in the near future, and they are both
rapidly increasing their herds and their output. Many freezing
establishments are in full work in Brazil, and more are in
course of construction; a full list of these will be found in
the Appendices.

Transport facilities are being rapidly developed, and new
refrigerated steamship services between Brazilian ports and
New York have been inaugurated. It is not only in the south,
however, that this development in meat shipments is taking
place. The Compania Pastoril Agricola-Industrial Piauhyense,

with a large capital, has been inaugurated to go into the busi- —

ness of raising and slaughtering cattle and packing meat in
the State of Piauhy, in the north ; it is in the tropics, but that
is no drawback. Most of Australian cattle also are well within
the tropical belt. Large areas in the State of Piauhy are
excellent cattle country.

Brazilian meat is of excellent quality, a recent shipment
having shown that the industry is developing on right lines”

with gradual improvement of stock.

Mr. Duncan Black, a Queenslander who has been resident
for several years in South America, recently revisited Aus-
tralia, and during his stay he favoured me with some
first-hand information in regard to primary production in
South America. Mr. Black has been closely associated with the

cattle trade, and has had unique opportunities of studying —

its possibilities. With Brazil he is particularly impressed, as

he states that this great territory is on the brink of what must —

prove to be marv ellous dev elopment.
The soil and climate of Brazil, according to Mr. Black, are

excellent, and the country is permanently watered with rivers —

and creeks. Water can also be obtained by shallow sinking.
Until recently the cattle industry had not been seriously con-

bik So ea es ee ee ry

BRAZIL 141

sidered, production having been confined chiefly to coffee and
rubber. Now. however, the suitability of Brazil for cattle-
raising is being recognised, and the country is going ahead by
leaps and bounds. The Government is aiding this progressive
movement in a most practical manner. A bonus of from £27
to £34 is given for every stud cow or bull imported into the
country. All implements, fencing material, and other things
required by settlers are admitted duty free, and in each
of the twenty-one States of Brazil there is a Government stud
farm where stud bulls and stallions are kept for the free use of
farmers.

Every facility is given to encourage occupation of the land.
The freehold title is made as easy as possible to obtain. Any-
one wishing to secure land makes application for Crown lands
available, and the matter is put through with as little delay
as possible. Land values range from 1/6 per acre on the high
country to £3 per acre on the deltas of the Alto Paraguay,
which is excellent land free of disease.

Mr. Black states that the natural grasses of Brazil are not
very good on account of the periodical burning-off they have
been subjected to, but it is an easy matter to improve the
pasture. The climate and soil, on the whole, are not suitable
for alfalfa (lucerne), but a good substitute is found in the native
grass jaragua. This grass, apparently, is a great drought
resister, and is wonderfully prolific, easily carrying a beast to
the acre. To establish jaragua it is only necessary to burn
off the rank grass during the rainy season, and then scatter
the seed, which is very light and easily obtained. The seed
germinates immediately after rain, and the young plants are
very fast growing. The first growth of jaragua is left until it
seeds, which it does very plentifully. When the seed has been
shed, the grass is heavily stocked with cattle, and is well
tramped down. The stock are then taken off and the grass is
burned off.. The young grass comes away again very quickly,
and when about 9 inches high is again stocked heavily, and
from then on is. never allowed to grow higher than eight or
nine inches. After about two years of stocking, this jaragua
grass undergoes a change, stooling out instead of growing
straight up. It also becomes finer, and can be cut for hay,

142 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

yielding heavy crops. It is the main stand-by, but another
useful grass is angola, a very hardy grass, drought resisting,
but not quite so heavy carrying as jaragua. Mr. Black con-
siders that both these grasses would do splendidly in Australia.

The Rio Grande do Sul is the only province of Brazil which
has so far gone ahead in the cattle-raising business, chiefly on.

account of its proximity to Uruguay and Argentina, where

good bulls can be obtained at a reasonable price. The rest of
Brazil, according to Mr. Black, is on the brink of rapid develop-
ment. The basis of cattle breeding is the native herds, which
are descendants of Spanish cattle run wild. The importations

being made are chiefly Shorthorns, which nick well with the 5

native cattle. Texas fever is the only disease that troubles
cattle in Brazil, but it only affects imported cattle, native

herds being naturally immune. It is now, however, only a —

question of the Government arranging to have the imported

stock inoculated to remove all risk.

There are no restrictive conditions in regard to taking up
land in Brazil. There are no labour troubles, wages on cattle —
stations ranging from £3 to £5 per month. The native is a
good worker, but he has to be taught to handle stock kindly —
and patiently. Railway construction is proceeding at a great —

rate, for which purpose English and French capital is pouring

into the country. Commanication, except in a few remote

corners, is very easy, either by river steamers or trains. This —

was before the war, since when, naturally, the influx of capital
has stopped from Europe, but a good deal has been going in
from the United States.

As an instance of the progress taking place in Brazil, Mr. 4
Black mentioned that the American Farquhar Syndicate —

recently bought up a very large area of land in different

parts of Brazil and Paraguay, which they are proceeding to —
develop. The syndicate brought a competent staff from

Texas to work the properties. They are stocking up as fast

as possible, and recently imported 1000 bulls from Texas. Of |

late years English people have purchased large properties, and

many landholders in Argentina have sold out and gone to~
Brazil. The Government gives agriculturists farms ready —

made.

BRAZIL 143

In conclusion, Mr. Black said: ‘‘ After experience in Aus-
tralia and Argentina, and having been all through Uruguay,
Bolivia, and Paraguay, I consider there are no better oppor-
tunities for brains and capital than in Brazil.”

Brazin AS A PASTORAL COUNTRY

Of the twenty-one Brazilian States, ‘‘ Rio Grande do Sul ”
is by far the most advanced in pastoral matters, chiefly owing
to the fact that the State is in close touch with Uruguay and
the Argentine, of both of which countries she forms the
southern Brazilian limit. Although the class of cattle bred
is not to be compared to the stock of the other two countries
mentioned, breeders are now making every effort to improve
their herds, and with satisfactory results, as they are now
disposing of a good number of stock for freezing purposes.
Until recently all the cattle bred there were slaughtered for
the purpose of making ‘“‘ Xarque”’ for export to the other
States, but with the improvement which has come in the
quality of the bullocks, breeders find that it is more profitable
to dispose of their stock to the works buyers, and consequently
are importing good bulls in large numbers. Several breeders,
thinking that the Zebu would be better than the English
breeds, acting on the advice of breeders in the States of Minas
and Sao Paulo, where the Zebu has a great reputation, imported
them on quite a large scale. No doubt there was a certain
amount of reason for importing Zebus years ago, for the simple
reason that they are very hardy, and immune from tick
fever, which holds sway over all parts of Brazil. The first
cross with the native cows gave a rakish, big bullock, and
although the meat is very coarse, yet when fat it made good
xarque, and that was the “ end in view.”

The State next in order to Rio Grande is Minas Geraes,
which lies north and west of the State of Rio. Here we find
the Noah’s Ark as regards cattle, every breed under the sun
being represented, that is, if we except the English breeds.
Minas is the home of the Zebu, and some very nice specimens
are to be seen during one’s travels, which is not to be wondered
at, considering the money spent in purchasing them.

144 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE 4

Some few years ago the Government of this State made a i
contract with an English firm in Rio to deliver a thousand
bulls, meant for distribution amongst the breeders at cost
price—£100 sterling each. Of the total, 900 were Zebus im- _
ported from India, and the balance was made up of Swiss, j
Dutch, and a few English cattle. It is not an uncommon thing f
for some Zebu fanatic in Minas to pay as much as £1500 f
sterling for a bull he fancies. 2

hy

=

Unlike Rio Grande, which State has excellent native grasses, ‘
Minas does not possess native, or, rather, natural camp of any

great value. The country has had to be improved in order to
carry cattle profitably, and this has been done in a way which

one is forced to admire, against one’s will. Most of the land :
under jaragua or gordura, which are the best grasses, were at
one time useless half scrub and half open forest country, and
were improved in the following manner : Narrow tracks about
ten feet wide were cleared at different distances, according to
the density of the scrub, and the brush piled in rows, which, —
after having been allowed to become thoroughly dry, were set
fire to during a very hot day, generally in the month of
November, and when there was a fairly good breeze blowing.
Naturally, the dry leaves and grass were completely burnt off,
together with the many smaller shrubs, after which the seeds
of the grasses mentioned were scattered about, generally by _
men on horseback, with the result that after the first rain the _
grass came away quickly and smothered any new growth of
shrubs, the ashes left after burning being an excellent grip for
the seed, which is very light. November and December being
both good rain months, the grass made quick progress, and
the land was left unstocked until June of the following year, —
when the grasses seeded very profusely, and then the land was
stocked heavily. After some time all the seed would be well
tramped into the soil, leaving, of course, quite a lot of decayed
vegetation, which was burnt off on the first favourable day,
after a shower of rain, and when the old grass was dry. As
soon as the fresh sprout came away, the land was again stocked
and the grass never allowed to become rank. This may seem
to be a very haphazard way of doing things, but as time was
no object, and land was cheap, the results were satisfactory.

BRAZIL 145

Some beautiful fattening lands may be seen which have been
formed in the manner described, and as grazing lands they are
hard to beat, carrying during the summer months as many as
two head of cattle to the acre, and averaging one beast to the
acre allthe year round. During the winter months the grass goes
off to a certain extent, but makes quick headway with the
arrival of spring. These lands are all naturally watered, it
being a rare thing to see a well or dam constructed in any part
of the country, and being close to the federal capital have in-
creased in value very quickly. For the newcomer the prices
are a little high; but many opportunities occur when land
can be bought at a reasonable rate.

Next in importance to Minas, from a pastoral point of view,
come the States of Goyaz, Matto-Grosso and Parana, and in
any one of them the newcomer may find excellent opportunities
for investment.

Being further inland, land is much cheaper, and, looking at
matters from a practical point of view, these are the best
States to invest in. Large tracts of open rolling downs, well
watered by running streams, can be purchased for next to
nothing ; but although the soil is of excellent quality, the
grasses are, generally speaking, very poor, owing to the fact
that the land has been burned for centuries, and the more
tender grasses exterminated. Land can be bought at from 2 /—
to 5/— per acre, according to the distance from the railways,
and, economically worked, can be improved at about 4/— per
acre. As in the State of Minas, burning the grass off when
thickly covered, and then sowing the grass seed, has been
until now the most popular way, but this is not to be recom-
mended. The best way is to run the plough lightly over the
land, say, to a depth of four inches, harrow it, and sow im-
mediately, during the months of September, October, Novem-
ber, and December, which are the rainy months, and Nature
does the rest. The native grasses have very superficial ro dts,
and, when turned over by the disc, which is the best for the
purpose, become extinct, as after the first shower of rain either
jaragua or gordura come away quickly and choke out any
few remaining plants. The grass sown in September, that is,
provided that the seasons are normal, can be grazed by Decem-

L

146 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

ber, and the stock kept on until April, when it is advisable to
retire the stock, allowing the grass to seed, which it does about
the middle of June. After collecting the seed required for
future operations, it is restocked heavily, and when, well beaten
down, if the time is favourable, it may be burnt to clean away
any dry rubbish.

Matto-Grosso and Parana are the two States where the
famous Farquhar Syndicate, under the denomination of the
Brazil Land, Cattle, and Packing Company, is working on
extensive lines. The total extension purchased by this com-
pany is approximately 6,500,000 acres, the greater part being in
Matto-Grosso, and includes a lot of excellent natural camp in
what is called *‘ Pantanaes,” or, in other words, land situated ‘¢
on the banks of the Upper Paraguay river and its affluences. i
These lands are subject to floods, but are excellent for cattle- i

raising, the only drawback being that the horses suffer severely ;
at times from ** Cadeira,”’ as it is called, a disease similar to
the horse disease of South Africa. With care, however, the

. ee ee

—_
a)

losses are not great, but unless the horses are inspected each
morning, and steps taken against the disease spreading, all
the horses on the property may be lost, the disease being very
contagious.

For the small capitalist, with, sey, from five to ten thousand |
pounds to invest, provided thet he is a practical man, and not —
afraid to work, the south of Matto-Grosso is a good place.
For those with larger capital, it is still better, as by importing —
good bulls in number sufficient to put with all the cows straight £
away, instead of having to wait, and improve by using a
bred sires, speedy results can be attained, to say nothing of —
the fact that the larger capitalist could also improve’ his land
much quicker than the man with smaller means. The Govern-
ment gives free transport for all sires over their lines, and
by subventioned lines of river steamers, and the private com-
panies have followed suit. Seed is carried free, and agricul-
tural implements at nominal rates; this refers to all lines.

With the shortage of cattle in many countries affected by
the war, there is no doubt that Brazil is one of the best countries
to invest in, taking into consideration the quality and price 0
the land.

BRAZIL 147

An Australian, now resident in Brazil, writes tome: “ Brazil
with her vast extent of excellent cattle-raising lands, abun-
dantly watered and easily improved, offers opportunities not
to be met with in any other part of the world. No other
country is so lavish in Government assistance to pastoralists
or farmers ; but still progress has been slow in both these pur-
suits, mainly on account of the lack of initiative of private indi-
viduals. The average Brazilian likes politics better than
work, so there is plenty of room for the man who wants to
work intelligently. To the Australian who has a little capital,
I can truthfully state that, comparing the two countries, I
prefer Brazil, that is—there is no domineering Government
whose one idea seems to be to invent new taxes for those who
keep the country going, no labour unions whose one idea seems
to be the ruining of the honest working men by not allowing
them to do enough work to keep them physically fit. I will not
claim that the Brazilian Government is a model one ; it makes
no pretence to be perfect, but to its credit may be said that it
helps those who are engaged in either of the industries referred
to, realising that the future of the country depends on them.

“ As to the railway communications, they are much better
than in Australia. One can travel comfortably, and at a reason-
able rate, anywhete, if the Central Railway—a Government-
owned and controlled concern—is dropped out. It is a remark-
able thing that Government-controlled railways in any part of
the world are usually failures (especially is this so in the Com-
monwealth of Australia, where you have one of the worst of
services, and yet many Australians have asked me if we have
decent railways in South America). The ‘Central’ (Govern-
ment owned) Railway costs the country the small trifle of
about a million pounds sterling yearly in dead loss, yet lately,
an English company offered the bagatelle of £12,000,000
sterling for the ‘ concern ’ as it stood. Naturally, the offer was
refused, because there are a lot of ‘ political friends’ to be
protected ; and so it goes on losing money for the country,
instead of being a ‘ paying concern,’ as it would be were it in
the hands of a private company.

“TI do not wish to paint everything the colour of roses as
regards Brazil, and I am sure that any Brazilian who may

’
° y
148 * THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE ‘

read this report will cordially agree with me as far as railways
are concerned.
“Tf we take any of the other railways of the country into
consideration there is no complaint to be made against them, —
that is, as far as the private companies are concerned. The
Paulista, one of the great tracks of the country, may be com-
pared with the best in the world, to say nothing of the Leo-
poldina, which compares quite favourably with the former.
The latter company has done quite a lot for the progress of
the country by installing a * model farm,’ where lads may go
for instruction in the art of preparing all kinds of dairy produce, —
and lately it has started a ‘travelling agricultural wagon,’ —
which travels all over the line owned by the company, showing —
all kinds of implements, and the expert in charge gives all the s
information required. }
“The former company, the Paulista, have also done ions

Southdown is preferred, and the wool produced is abundant
and fine; the Romney Marsh is suitable for most parts of
Brazil. The plateaux of Parana and Santa Catharina and Rio
Grande with an average of 2000 ft. elevation, are well suited to
sheep. Also Central Brazil, 3300 to 4000 ft. altitude, with its”
glorious climate, is specially suited, and in the Rio Grande do
Sul there are already over 2,000,000 sheep. 3

A London Syndicate, with a capital of £1,000,000 for the
purpose of stock-raising in Brazil South, is in existence.

There are vast expanses of pasturage available for cattle-
raising. The Brazilian Railway Company have purchased
7,000,000 acres of grazing land, and they say it is just as good”
as the best North American prairies, and there is sufficien,
supply of native stock to ensure the rapid development of a-
prosperous industry on a very extensive scale. The Company
have already over 150,000 head of cattle, and the number is
fast being increased by local purchases, while large numbers Of
stud cattle are being imported.

BRAZIL 149

Summing up, Brazil with its 30,000,000 head of cattle, with
the importation of good bulls, American and British brains
and push, and with its far-seeing politicians, together with its
proximity to the big markets of the world, is bound to be
within the next ten years a very large supplier of beef, possibly
as large as that of its southern neighbour, Argentina. It is a
great field for capital, and one where Labour Unions have not,
and are not likely to have, the opportunity of throttling in-
dividual and natural progress.

Group oF SHorTHORN Cows AT THE RoyaL FARM, WINDSOR, ENGLAND

OTHER SOUTH AMERICAN STATES

4
URUGUAY }
Urvevay, which extends from latitude 30 deg. to 40 deg.
South, is bounded on the north by Brazil, on the south —
by Argentina, the west by Paraguay and Argentina, and on the &
east by the Atlantic Ocean. The area of the country is 72,210 —
square miles, and the population about 1,750,000. It is the |
smallest of the South American States. It has a wide, almost —
unbroken, sweep of park-like plains with no big mountains. It ;
has a network of rivers, and so is splendidly watered ; 700 miles {
of the rivers are navigable. The camp, or grazing country, is _
of a gently rolling nature, and it is difficult to find any large
part of it unprovided with a bountiful water supply. The —
soil is deep and arable, and supplies good pasture for the herds
of cattle and sheep grazing on it. The climate is mild, with no
extremes of heat or cold, and the live-stock industry is the
chief source of the country’s commerce, 37,500,000 acres of
the total area of the Republic being given over to pasturage. —

For a long time the preparation of jerked beef (tasajo) was
a leading industry in Uruguay, and during one year over
700,000 cattle were slaughtered for this product alone, making —
over 113,000,000 pounds of meat, with a value of about
£1,300,000.

The number of cattle is about 8,000,000 and of sheep about
12,000,000. My last visit to Uruguay, in 1913, showed me
that very great improvement has taken place in recent years’
in the flocks and herds through the introduction of stud cattle
and sheep from Great Britain. Merino sheep predominate,
and the wool industry is a large one. Refrigeration has stepped
in, and the exports of meat are jumping ahead. As most of
the cattle are beef cattle, there is no reason, except shortage
of freezing works, why the export of beef should not amount
to 1,500,000 quarters per annum even at the present time.

150

‘
+
4

—

URUGUAY 151

There is another process by which cattle meat is utilised.
Few people are aware that much of the beef extract on the
markets comes from the special establishments in Uruguay
erected for that purpose. The name “ Liebig”’ is now actually
synonymous with beef extract; and the company’s factory
is at Fray Bentos, on the Uruguay River, about 100 miles
above Buenos Aires, but where there is a depth of water
sufficient to allow the entrance of vessels of a draft of 20 ft.
Fray Bentos has been called the greatest kitchen in the world,
and on some days 2500 head of cattle are slaughtered and
treated.

There is room for greater development, because, with all
that has been accomplished, the limit of economic produc-
_tivity is a long way from being reached. With the steadily
increasing demand for meat and meat products in all the
consuming markets of the world, with the well-known adapt-
ability of the people of Uruguay for agricultural and pastoral
life, with the encouraging tendency to aid immigration to the
country, and the facility with which new settlers are absorbed
by the population, Uruguay takes a favoured place among
the cattle countries of America.

A Uruguayan law of 8th January, 1916, extends for five
years the period during which building material and machinery
for the construction of meat-packing establishments are to be
admitted free of duty. The exemption from duty of such
articles was previously authorised for a period of five years
by a law of 13th July, 1911.

The first freezing plant in Uruguay was the Frigorifica
Uruguaya, established at Montevideo. It has a present daily
capacity of 1200 steers and 4000 sheep. In 1911 Swift bought
three jerked beef plants located near Montevideo, and com-
menced the erection of a freezing plant with a capital of
4,000,000 pesos. The company soon became a leading factor
in the Uruguayan cattle market, and has a present capacity
of 2000 steers and 3000 sheep per day. A Morris plant, known
as the Frigorifico Artigas, has a capacity of from 1000 to 2000
steers, 2000 sheep and 500 hogs per day.

j
{

PARAGUAY

THE Republic of Paraguay is situated in the centre of the
South American continent, between latitude 17-15 deg. and
27-31 deg. S., and longitude 54-5 deg. and 62-30 deg. W.
The country has no seaboard, being bounded on the north by
Bolivia and Brazil, east by Brazil, south and west by the
Argentine. Paraguay proper, the area of which is estimated
at 65,000 square miles, lies between the rivers Paraguay and
Alto Parana, and is bounded on the north by the Brazilian
province of Matto-Grosso. To the west, between the rivers
Paraguay and Pilcomayo, lies the little-known region of the
Chaco, the area of which is estimated at 107,000 square miles,
or about that of Italy. All Paraguay belongs to the formation
of the low-lying region which is comprised between the Bra-
zilian coast range on the east and the Andes on the west, and
through which the two great waterways, the Paraguay and the
Alto Parana, flow towards the south and pass into the vast
estuary of the River Plate. Paraguay proper consists for the
most part of a level or gently undulating plain, from which in
some places low hills rise abruptly. These hills nowhere reach _
a height of more than 2000 ft. above sea-level, while the average
height of the plain is about 550 ft. The level country consists —
of grass land alternating with woods and forests, the latter
occupying the greater area, while the higher ground almost —
everywhere is clothed with dense forests. It is well watered
by the numerous tributaries of the great rivers, while a large
part of the level ground on the west side of the Cordilleras is
swampy and liable to inundation. The Chaco differs from Para-_
guay proper in that it consists exclusively of level, scarcely
undulating, ground unbroken by hills of any kind. The greater
portion of the territory, which seems formerly to have formed —
the bed of an inland sea, may be regarded as the delta of the

152 ;

PARAGUAY 153

River Pilcomayo. At the last census, 1915, there were 5,250,000
cattle and 600,000 sheep in the country.

The live-stock industry in Paraguay is one of the most pros-
perous, and one of the most productive. There is a sure market
in the country or in the Argentine. The commercial world has
discovered in Paraguay an appreciable reserve in live-stock, and
the demand will continue to increase, and under improved
management so will the supplies.

Paraguay lands have always been noted for their healthy
condition, and Paraguay stock for their prolificness. Animals
are born and develop with very little personal attention. The
abundance of pastures, water, and the scarcely sensible
climatic changes offer exceptional conditions suitable for live-
stock production. If the almost wonderful resources of vege-
table food were added to the natural conditions of the country
the results would be doubled. The inter-breeding during cen-
_ turies among the native animals, and the negligence in pre-
serving the camps, abandoned fer centuries, have produced in
the Paraguayan live-stock a considerable depreciation in
quality.

Gocd management will correct these defects. The crossing
of the native with pure breeds should be the first improve-
ment to be undertaken. The cattle rancher’s object shculd be
the improvement of the breed ; that is what is really needed.
The system employed until lately by ranch owners has been
to hold large tracts of land, unattended, with a heavy number
of animals, without occupying themselves with breeding good
animals ; this system must be abolished. What can be done
will be seen by the excellent lessons given by the neighbouring
Republics which have obtained the renewal of the greater part
of their stock, with enormous benefits to the industry.

Meat is naturally very cheap, perhaps cheaper than in any
other country in the world, since a bullock 34 to 4 years old
is worth only 15 dollars to 20 dollars gold. The hide, tallow
and grease being worth alone one-half that amount, there
remains, say, 10 dollars, as the value of 300 to 350 Ibs. of meat,
being less than 4 cents per lb. for meat of the best quality
without bones.

There being such an abundance of cheap meat, the Govern-

154 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

ment of Paraguay, desirous of encouraging the meat preserving
industry, has just lately passed a law providing for the
introduction free of duty of all things necessary for equipping
such a factory, and has provided for the very small export
duty of 15 cents gold on the finished product of each bullock
or cow. .

Paraguay, with about 1,000,000 inhabitants, is a country so
thinly populated that it must take a century or more before
it becomes short of pastures for breeding cattle, horses, mules
and sheep.

Pretty well throughout the country you can run a beast to —
four acres. In fact, that number of acres for a beast is a —
Government minimum. This law is in force in several States
of South America, viz. that the number of beasts is limited
on a set amount of land—a wise provision to stop over-stock-
ing. Large steamers can go up the River Plate and the Parana
as far as Asuncion (capital), 650 miles from Buenos Aires.

An extract and canning factory at San Salvador, Northern
Paraguay, has been constructed. This is under. American _
management, and has a capacity for treating 150 head of cattle
daily for extract and 350 for corned beef making. Stock-
raising is the basic industry of Northern Paraguay, and the
North Americans have invested large sums of money in the
country lately. A company incorporated at Delaware has
spent 1,000,000 dollars in the Paraguayan Chaco, which is
practically unknown, and which, when opened up, should
afford excellent pastures.

The Frigorifico Paraguay Carne Conservada has been
organised in Asuncion for the purpose of erecting meat freez- —
ing and canning works. The company intends to erect a
plant capable of dealing with 300 head of cattle per day.

CHILE

THE Republic of Chile lies between the Andes and the South
Pacific, between latitude 17 deg. 15 min. and 55 deg. 59 min.
S., and longitude 66 deg. 30 min. and 75 deg. 40 min. W. Its
extreme length is about 2800 miles, the coast Jine is about
2625 miles, and the average width 90 miles. The Andes form
the eastern frontier, with an elevation of 5000 to 10,000 ft.
above sea-level, and the highest point, 22,422 ft., is Acon-
cagua, an extinct volcano. The total area is about 291,500
square miles, with a population of 3,500,000.

There are at present about 2,000,000 cattle and 5,000,000
sheep in the country. In the far south, with Punta Arenas as
a centre, there are large flocks of British breeds of sheep and
several meat works operating. A very high class of mutton is
exported, while the stock-owners are British born, and several
New Zealanders have settled there.

The northern part of the country is comparatively bare of
pastures, but rich in minerals. The central has fertile plains
and a tempeiate climate; here cattle-raising is carried on

largely.

155

PATAGONIA

In describing the plains of Patagonia recently one writer says :
‘ Shut your eyes and think of yourself with a good nag between
your legs going at an easy canter over the soft and grassy
pampa. Above you a turquoise sky and a brilliant sun, below
you blue lakes, soft turf and sparkling streams, on the lakes
and rivers black-headed swans and pinky-winged flamingoes, —

geese, and ducks galore, and now and then a jacksnipe. Small —

foxes play about you like kittens, and estriches leg it away a

hundred yards ahead of you, their long necks stretched out, _

and their wings highly lifted to help them out of the danger
zone. The life and place so enchanted me that a year later I
became the owner of much camp, 16 leagues, and many sheep.
In the middle of my property is a lake five miles by two miles
across.” The farm is now earning 50 per cent dividends ; and
this is a true picture of Patagonia. There is one British com-
pany there owning six million acres of land, upon which there
are 1,500,000 sheep, and which. regularly imports studs from
Australia and New Zealand, or they did until shipping facili-
ties failed them. In Tierra del Fuego the company owns also
2,250,000 acres of good sheep country. The manager of this
is a New Zealander, like so many men in Patagonia.
Chile can be depended upon for frozen mutton in increasing —
quantities, but beef cannot be looked for in any but limited
amounts.

The following account of the development of meat freezing
in Patagonia I have quoted from a paper entitled “ Sheep—
Freezing in Patagonia,” read recently by Mr. R. J. Cracknell —
before the Cold Storage and Ice Association :—

“The sheep-freezing industry in Patagonia was started by —
the erection in 1903-4 of freezing works at Rio Seco, on the
shore of the Magellan Straits, about eight miles from Punta
Arenas, by the South American Export Syndicate.

156

PATAGONTA 157

* These works were followed two years later by similar works
at St. Gregory Bay, about 70 miles from Rio Seco, and
later by other works at Puerta Borico, on the shore of Ultima
Esperanza, an inlet from the Pacific. and about 180 miles from
Punta Arenas; also at Gallegos, in Argentine Patagonia, on
the Atlantic, about 200 miles from Punta Arenas, and in
1917 works were started in Punta Arenas itself.

* 'The season in Patagonia is a very short one, lasting usually
from the middle of January to the latter part of May. the
actual working time being a little over one hundred working
days.

“For the remaining part of the year the works are closed
down, during which time extensions, alterations, or repairs are
effected.

“ For this reason, during the season.work is carried on at
high pressure, and it is of the utmost importance that every-
thing should go smoothly and without hitch.

“ In arranging the programme for the season, the ideal aimed
at is that the sheep shall arrive at the works at the same rate
_ that they can be killed, which varies from 3000 to 4000 per day.

** As the sheep are sometimes as much as fifteen days on the
track. walking from the farm to the works, a programme is got
out and arrangements made for several weeks ahead.

“Every sheep is selected by the freezing works’ own
‘approvers.’ who visit the various farms for this purpose. In
some cases the approver will go through 10,000 sheep in
selecting 3000.

“ A part of the sheep for the San Gregorio, Rio Seco and
Punta Arenas works are also brought over by steamer from
Tierra del Fuego.

“ Most of the works have a canning plant in addition, and
at the Bories works they have a fellmongery where they treat
their own skins. There is also a fellmongery at Tres Pontes,
about three miles from Punta Arenas, where the skins from the
Punta Arenas and Rio Seco works are treated. At these
works as many as 6000 skins can be treated per day.

“The method of loading varies at the different works, the
general method being to load the carcases into trucks, which
are then run down to a pier. where they are transferred to the

158 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

steamer. In some cases, owing to there not being sufficient
depth of water for the steamer to come alongside, the carcases
are transferred to barges, which are towed out to the steamer

lying about half a mile out. From 200 to 300 tons are loaded:

per day.

“The total number of carcases brought to England from
all these works is about 1,350,000. The steamers arrive at
rather long intervals, and are anxiously awaited by the works’
managers, especially as under present conditions the arrivals
are very uncertain. In some cases the stores are entirely filled,
and half the freezing rooms used as stores before the steamer
arrives. Another day or two of delay would bring the works
to an entire standstill, the consequence of which waquld be
disastrous, as it is impossible to stop the arrival of the sheep.
In a few days there would be 10,000 to 15,000 sheep around
the works with no adequate feed tor them, this having generally
disappeared before half the season is over.

“In addition to the works mentioned there are also freezing
and canning works at St. Julian, which are owned by Swifts.
New works are on the point of completion at Rio Grande, in
the island of Tierra del Fuego, and works are projected, and
now in course of construction at Natalis, near the Bories works,
and in opposition to these works. The Rio Seco works is the
only British company, the others being Chilian, except the
Gallegos and St. Julian works, which belong to Swifts.

“Tt will thus be seen that it was a British firm that first had
the courage and energy to undertake the erection of freezing
works in that remote region. The difficulties met with in
carrying out this work were enormous, owing to want of
facilities. The success of the undertaking was immediately
followed by the forming of local companies for erecting the
other works, as already explained, but the country is greatly
indebted to this British firm for the prosperity that has followed
the initiation of this industry.”

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

As regards live-stock the United States is not by any means
as spent as it was generally supposed to be. It is nearly ten
years since the world was informed that the internal demand
had overtaken the supply, and that the United States would
have to look to Argentina for beef and Australia for mutton
with which to feed her own people. What do we see now ?
The number of cattle marketed during 1917 was 12,278,000 in
the nine principal markets—it was the largest in the history
of the country, but, in spite of this, there were more cattle on
the farms at the end of the year than at the commencement.
The exports of fresh beef from the United States increased
from 6,400,000 Ibs. in 1914 to 231,000,000 Ibs. in 1916. The
exports of bacon in the same period increased from 194,000,000
Ibs. to 667,000,000 lbs. The total weight of all beef products
exported from the United States in 1917 was 411,000,000 lbs.
The weight of pork products was 1500 million lbs. The
average amount per head received for beef carcases and by-
products was £19/7/6. Of this sum, £17/11/7 was paid to the
grower, 10/8 for killing, dressing, etc., 9/7 for freight, 10/3
for selling expenses, and 5/5 represented profit. Frozen meat
in storage on July Ist, 1918, increased 49-3 per cent, and frozen
pork increased 71-37, as compared with 1917. These remark-
able figures show what American stockmen can and will do
when called upon in some emergency. The stock-breeder in
the United States is not likely to be handicapped by the Govern-
ment fixing a maximum price for meat. In fixing a price for
fat cattle, should such a thing have to occur, a minimum
price should be guaranteed, and the cost of rearing and fat-
tening, of course, taken into account at the time.

To the ordinary mind “ price control” carries with it the
idea of keeping prices down, while, as a matter of fact, it is

159

160 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

production and not price that is important at a time like the
present. Price control should mean stabilizing and fixing
prices on a basis which will insure the greatest production,
and thus automatically prices will come down.

The latest returns published by the United States Bureau
of Statistics in January, 1918, estimate the existing number
of cattle in that country at 66,830,000 head, an increase of
3,100,000 (or 4-9 per cent) over the previous year’s total of
63,700,000 head ; and 18-2 per cent more than the low-water

A UNITED STATES SHORTHORN BULL
Champion at thirty-six shows,

mark in 1913, when only 56,527,000 head were recorded.
Sheep were returned at 48,900,000 head, as compared with
48,500,000 at the end of 1916. The figures in respect of cattle
indicate that steady progress is being made in replenishing
the herds of the United States, which had suffered a continued
and serious decline for several years prior to the war.

In other words, the number of cattle on farms is greater
to-day than ever before, and this in spite of the fact that the
number sent to market for slaughter in 1917 was the greatest
in the history of the country. It is not generally realised by
the public that the record marketings of both 1916 and 1917

UNITED STATES 161

have been accompanied by a decided increase each year in the
number of cattle left on farms.

In a recent letter to members, the American National Live-
stock Association says :—

During the year 1917 the number of cattle sent to market
for slaughter was the largest in history, and the fact that our
supply on January Ist, 1918, showed a substantial increase,
despite the larger slaughter, is convincing evidence that at
present there is no shortage of beef cattle. With the excep-
tion, of 1916, the shipment of hogs to market during 1917 was
the largest ever recorded, and the present supply exceeds all
previous yearly estimates. .

The live-stock industry of the United States responded to
the appeal of President Wilson, the Food Administration, and
the Department of Agriculture for increased production.

More and more, as demands grow, do the greater pro-
duction of live-stock and the conservation of meat become
pressing necessities. While there has been a numerical in-
crease in live-stock in the United States in 1917, the tendency
of farmers to ship their cattle and hogs before they are properly
finished, due to advanced cost of feed and eagerness to get
high market prices, has brought about a decreased poundage
per animal.

The records, borne out by those of the industry in general,
show a loss of weight of approximately 10 per cent in 1917 as
compared with 1916. This offsets the increase in numbers.

During 1917 Armour & Company paid to live-stock pro-
ducers in the United States alone the sum of 341,743,275
dollars (£68,348,655) for cattle, hogs and sheep, or 109,167,133
dollars (£20,000,000) more than, a similar poundage would have
cost at the 1915 scale of prices. This additional sum neces-
sarily had to be collected from consumers to be turned over to
producers.

Obviously, we must look first to the producer. For him the
Government has largely taken the specwation out of produc-
tion, and inasmuch as his gains are assured for years to come,
he can combine patriotism with profit by increasing and im-
proving his herds.

He must breed for quality that will produce maximum

M

162 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

weight in the shortest time. Every unused nook and corner
of his farm should grow feed for his animals. Surplus dairy
calves should be fed no longer than is necessary to bring them
to the veal stage, thus conserving feed, while beef calves should _
be saved and brought to earliest maturity.

CENTRALIZED Live-StocKk MARKETING

An official report of the U.S. Department of Agriculture on
the causes of the decline of the pastoral industry in the United
States of America gives the following interesting account of
the centralized live-stock marketing system engendered under
the regime of the American meat companies :—

‘ The largest single factor in the marketing of meat animals
in the United States is the system of centralised live-stock
markets, which has no counterpart in any of the other live-
stock producing countries of the world. Its development has —
been due primarily to the fact that the live-stock industry is
developed mainly in the central and western parts of the —
country, while one-half of the population is in the ee :
ing region east of the Mississippi and north of the Ohio and —
Potomac Rivers. The exportation of meat animals and meat —
produce from Atlantic rivers also has contributed largely i
towards the centralisation of live-stock markets at points
intermediate between these ports and the areas of produe- ;
tion. J

“A corollary of the unprecedented development of our f
centralised markets which generally is regarded as of vital
importance is the gradual concentration of ownership and 4
control of the stockyards, terminal facilities, and other equip-
ment and related interests, into the hands of the small group
of packers who purchase the bulk of the meat animals sold at
these markets. The nature and extent of this factor in the —
situation have been stated by Mr. A. E. de Rieqles, Chairman
of the Committee on Stockyards, of the American National
Live-Stock Association, at a hearing conducted by this office, — 5
as follows :— 4

‘** The first thing that one meets in looking into this subject :
is the fact that the ownership of practically all the stockyard _

increas

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companies, all the big-packing-houses, the cattle loan com-
panies, stockyard banks, rendering works, and similar institu-:
tions found at stockyards, are owned and controlled by four
or five individuals ; and as\these stockyards are what establish:
the price of live-stock in the United States, it follows quite:
naturally that these fewindividuals who own these institutions.
are in a position to control: For a number of years these:
individuals—and it is no harm to mention their names; for
they are so familiar to all of us that they come into our minds
immediately, namely, Armour, Swift, Morris, Cudahy—were
satisfied with the packing-house business, and limited. their
operations to slaughtering and selling meat animals and their
products ; however, within the past dozen years they have
been acquiring the stockyard companies, establishing cattle
loan companies, and. other market enterprises that, as a matter
of fact, are distinct and separate from the slaughtering business.
They own stockyards at’ Kansas City, South Omaha, East
St. Louis, St. Joseph,-Sioux City, St. Paul, Oklahoma, Fort
Worth, Portland and Denver. |

“<Tt seems reasonable= that the company buying your
product on the open‘market. should not be the owner of the
facilities you use to prepare the same for its purchase ; or that
the man who sells your2product should not be indebted and.
under obligations to the man who buys it ; or that a stockman
who borrows money. should not borrow ones for feeding from
the man he must sell to.

“* For controlling-prices and increasing the power of price-
making, the ownership ‘of’a stockyard by a packing-house ‘is
one of the most complete means.

“ “Tf the owners of: theyard company are the same necale
who buy the cattle every day from the commission company,
and who finance the commission firm through a cattle-loan
company or bank, the situation becomes very different, for the
commission merchant must be on good terms with the people
who buy from him, and-he fears if he is not friendly with them
that they may discriminate against him.

““This is just.an explanation of one situation that to-day
exists at most of the markets in the United States, and it is
realised not only by the commission men and buyers in ‘the

166 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

yards, but it is understood by the stockmen, and it is becoming
intolerable.’

“The principal remedies which have been advanced and
advocated for the improvement of these conditions were
summarised by Mr. T. W. Tomlinson, Secretary of the
American National Live Stock Association, at the above-
mentioned hearing, as follows :—

*(1) A more even distribution of receipts on five days of
the week. This would prevent delays at terminals, and enable
the business to be transacted at less expense.

“*(2) A weekly publication by the Government of data as
to the meat supply on hand. 2

“*(3) The establishment of public abattoirs in connection
with public stockyards.

‘*(4) Slaughterers to relinquish, as far as possible, their
interest in and control of stockyards, and other instrumental-
ities involved in the marketing of live-stock.

‘***(5) Commission houses not to serve as both seller and
buyer of the same stock, and to sell direct to country purchasers.

*(6) FEDERAL AND STATE SUPERVISION OF THE METHODS
AND PRACTICES AT THE CENTRAL MARKETS.

**(7) A GREATER CO-OPERATION TOWARDS THE END OF

SECURING UNRESTRICTED COMPETITION.’ ”’

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IMPROVING POWER OF THE SHORTHORN

An excellent article by Mr. W. R. Goodwin was published
recently in the Shorthorn World on the “‘ Improving Power of
the Shorthorn.” This applies to all native stock everywhere.

Says Mr. Goodwin: The student of beef cattle breeding will —
conclude that the Shorthorn is not only the cosmopolitan —
breed, but also the universal improver of beef stocks. This —
fact carries a tribute and imposes an obligation. (In some —
countries the Hereford, Angus and Devon will be found more —
suitable ; it greatly depends on rainfall and condition of
country and pasture.) Native stocks lack beef form—that —
form which in the feed lots of the world has been proved to
grow rapidly, thrive easily and produce the desirable cuts of —
beef in the greatest proportion to wastes. Scale, thrift, and

UNITED STATES 167

wide and level form are the requisites of a profitable beef
producer. The grower must have weight at the finish, the
packer must have flesh that will cut profitably. The founders
of the Shorthorn breed lived close to the pasture, the feed-lot
and the butcher, evolving in their ideals a type that met the
dual requirements of the producer and the purveyor of prime
beef. Wherever the blood touches native stocks it instantly
registers its leavening influence, and the unimproved, the
scrub, becomes a visibly homogeneous part of the great tribe
of thrifty beef makers that wears the colours of red, white and
roan. The appeal can be made world-wide and ever is it
answered in unison. The cosmopolitan character of the breed
is proved in its distribution that ranges more widely than that
_ of any other improved race of cattle, and its power of universal
betterment is registered on all stocks of whatever origin or
type it touches.

The first cross tells the tale. The Shorthorn bull brands
indelibly his offspring in size, levelness, feeding quality. The
history of cattle improvement, on whatever continent it is
studied, proves the vital influence of Shorthorn blood in its
foundation-laying first cross. On that foundation other breeds
have built, to the great satisfaction of breeders who have
skilfully crossed and carefully grazed and fed, and these
breeders, wide-visioned, broad-gauged, fair-minded men, right
cheerfully accord credit to the Shorthorn breed for its foun-
dation work.

No breed has so essentially earned the title of the universal
improver of native stocks as the Shorthorn. The blood of this
breed is “first aid to the injured,” blending kindly and effec-
tively for the elimination of the undesirable characteristics of
the primitive types, and adding size, framework, levelness of
flesh and aptitude to fatten. Long years has the Shorthorn
breed held this honoured position, from which it will not be
displaced by any other breed while native stocks of any
country or clime require the union of blood which will lay the
foundation, for profitable feeding. It is a place of pride and
a position of responsibility.

The obligation laid on the breed is no less conspicuous, in-
deed it is all the more inexorable because of the unchallenged

168 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE :

success of the breed in the work of improvement. The wide-
rolling, richly grassed ranges of America’s western regions have
produced and fattened the beef of the past quarter of a century.
Some of it has been finished in the rich central valleys ; much

of it has been grown on the grasses of the plains. In the —
development of this land vital changes are of almost constant
record. With the transformation of open range to fenced
pastures and thence to farms, all in touch with the industry
are familiar. The country suddenly awakened and found itself
short of beef.

Time was when the farm cow of America supplied the beef
and the milk, and that cow was of Shorthorn blood. The —
advance in food values and the competition of the range herds, _
which laid down calves off free grass at central markets at
prices with which farm-raised calves could not compete, drove —
the cows that bred feed-lot calves largely from the farms of
the central west. A cow could not be kept for the value of
her feedyard progeny. Farmers drifted with the tide, which _
has now receded and left many of them aground.

Conditions have changed back again. Augmented popula- —
tion, coupled with decreased beef supplies from the ranges, —
opens the door to profitable farm breeding of beef calves. :
This may be done on the cheaper, rough and broken lands _
with a purely beef cow, but it is readily accomplished on the {
richer lands of higher value with the real farmer’s cow, the
cow that more than pays her way at the pail while producing
a prime feed-lot prospect. That cow has been, still is, and will
continue to be the Shorthorn dual-purpose cow, unless the
obligation which lies at the door of the Shorthorn Association
and Shorthorn breeders is deliberately shirked. It may have
been overlooked in times past. Men of great faith kept the
fires burning on the original altars, however, conscious and
confident that over vast stretches of our farming country the _
dual-purpose cow had her place despite the competition from
the open ranges, and convinced that the day would come —
when a great light would shine on the understanding of Ameri- ;
can farmers, and they would turn eagerly to the big, level-—
framed, placid-eyed red, white or roan cow, possessed of the
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UNITED STATES 171

development and education, and standing as a foundation
stone of profitable American agriculture. The obligation to
restore that cow to her place of prime importance in profitable
small farm production rests on adherents of the Shorthorn
breed. It never more insistently demanded recognition than
in this time of world-throes, and in the coming period when
the back of mankind will be bent under the burden of a torn
world’s restoration.

BREEDS OF BEEF CATTLE IN THE UNITED STATES
SHORTHORNS

The decrease in the number of beef animals in the United
States, with the resulting high prices which have prevailed
during recent years, has caused greater interest to be taken in
this industry, and many men, who have never raised beef cattle
in the past are taking up this line of work.

The breeds of beef cattle in the United States are the Short-
horn, Polled Durham, Hereford, Aberdeen-Angus and Gallo-
way. Each of these breeds has been carefully developed for
a long period of years, with the result that individuals transmit
their characters very readily when bred to native or scrub
cattle.

The Shorthorn is the most popular of the beef breeds in the
United States, as shown by their numbers and by their general
distribution over all parts of the country. They have a great
range of adaptability and do well everywhere. The milking
qualities, combined with the high standard as a beef animal
and the gentle disposition, have caused the Shorthorn cow to
be termed “the farmer’s cow” in the United States. The
merit of the breed has been proved on the ranges of the west,
where the bulls have been used for grading up the scrub cattle
of the plains. The Shorthorn crosses well with other breeds
or with the scrub cattle, producing from scrub cows calves
which develop into fairly desirable beef cattle. The grazing
ability of the Shorthorn is not so good as that of some of the
other breeds, but where grasses are abundant and feeds are
plentiful there is no breed which will surpass it for beef pro-

172 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

duction. The large milk flow insures a good calf. However,
the cows have been criticised to a certain extent by western
ranchmen because the large milk flow causes many of them
to lose a teat or a portion of the udder, as the calves cannot
always take all of the milk. The steers sell readily as feeders,
and although they have not won as readily as the Aberdeen-
Angus in the show ring, they produce very high-class beef,
with the thick loin and full hindquarter which furnish profit-
able cuts.

The three important strains of Shorthorn cattle have been

the Booth, the Bates, and the Scotch tribes. The Booth and —
Scotch strains represent the true beef type of Shorthorns, —
while the Bates approaches the dual-purpose type. Bulls _
attain a weight of 1800 to 2200 pounds or more, while the

mature cows usually weigh from 1300 to 1600 pounds when a

raised under favourable conditions. Greater weight in both —

cows and bulls is not rare, but extremely heavy animals are —

not especially desired. i
Mr. W. F. Ward, Senior Animal Husbands in Beef Cattle

Investigations, U.S.A., ina pamphlet issued to farmers;'says -—

“In conformation, the Shorthorn is of the true beef type,

being wide, deep, lengthy, and thickly fleshed. The great —

width of the Shorthorns, combined with their depth, gives
them a more rectangular form than any of the other breeds, —
while the wide variation in the distribution of the breed has

caused a slightly greater difference in type to be recognised
than in other beef breeds. In the cow the following points

should be noted: The horn is usually small and curved. for-
ward, with the tips pointing inward, upward, or sometimes
downward, and they should be of a waxy, yellowish colour.

The head should be shapely, with great width between the — j

eyes, short from the eyes to the muzzle, which should be large

and flesh-coloured, with Jarge nostrils; a black muzzle is

objectionable to most breeders. The neck should be short
and full, blending well into head and shoulder. The shoulders —
should be smooth and well covered with flesh, the cropsshould
be full, the heart girth should be large, and the fore flank low.
The chest should be wide and deep, with the brisket thick and
well to the front. The ribs are usually well sprung and the

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UNITED STATES 175

barrel well developed. In good individuals the back is broad
and the loin is wide, deep and thickly fleshed. The hips are
wide and should be well covered with flesh ; the rump is long,
wide, and level, carrying an abundance of flesh. The hind-
quarter is better developed in the Shorthorn than in any other
breed ; it is characteristic in that it is almost straight from the
root of the tail to the hocks, and is wide and thick, carrying
the flesh well down, thus giving a maximum amount of flesh.
The flank is low, the udder is usually well developed, extending
well forward, with prominent milk veins. The teats are of
medium size.

“The bull should possess the same desirable features as the
female, without her feminine qualities. He should show mas-
culinity by developing a heavier horn, a larger and thicker neck,
&® heavier bone throughout, and greater depth, thickness and
scale. His horns are straighter and heavier than the cow’s,
but they should not show coarseness.

“The Shorthorn has sometimes been criticised because of
poor development or lack of fulness in the crops, a high fore
flank and a poorly developed heart girth. They are sometimes
rather leggy, although animals of Scotch breeding are usually
thick fleshed and low set. There has been a tendency to patchi-
ness near the root of the tail and to rolls on the sides, but the
breed is improving in this respect in that the animals are be-
coming more smooth.”

The American Shorthorn Breeders’ Association considers
that the ten bulls which have probably done most for the
improvement of Shorthorn cattle as a breed in the last fifteen
years are as follows: Whitehall Sultan 163573, Choice Goods
186802, Cumberland’s Last 229822, Avondale 245144, March
Knight 188105, Villager 295884, Cumberland 118578, Merry
Hampton 132572, Lord Banff 150718 and Whitehall Marshall
209776. The most popular families of Shorthorns in the United
States at the present time are Augustas, Missies, Victorias,
Duchess of Glosters and Orange Blossoms.

The Polled Durham is a Polled Shorthorn. There are two
general divisions of this breed, the “‘ single standard ” and the
“double standard.” The single-standard Polled Durhams
were produced by breeding ‘‘ muley ” cows to Shorthorn bulls,

176 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

selecting the polled offspring and breeding these to other
Shorthorn bulls. This grading up was continued until the
polled offspring was brought to the fifth cross which contained —
96% per cent or more of Shorthorn blood, and which qualified
for entry in the Polled Durham herd book. The resulting pro-
geny resembled the Shorthorns, but were rather leggy, lacked
a thick smooth covering of flesh, and inclined more to the dual-
purpose type of animals. These cattle could be registered in —
the Polled Durham herd book, but were not eligible for regis-
tration in the American Shorthorn herd book. y
The double-standard Polled Durhams were secured by using
purebred Shorthorn cows that were either natural muley or _
had undeveloped horns, for breeding to Shorthorn bulls. The —
double-standard Polled Durhams are purebred Shorthorns, —
and can be registered in either the Shorthorn or the Polled —
Durham herd books. The double-standard Polled Durhams _
were bred chiefly from the Gwynne, White Rose and Young —
Phyllis families of Shorthorns.
This breed is similar to the Shorthorn in every way except —
that it is hornless. It is a comparatively new breed of cattle, ©
and has not become so popular as the older breeds, but it is-
increasing in popularity. They will do well under the same—
conditions which favour the production of good Shorthorns. —
Some breeders have developed the dual-purpose qualities in
the animals, with the result that there is considerable variation
in type. > 3

THE HEREFORD

The Hereford ranks next to the Shorthorn in numbers in
the United States of America. Their popularity is constantly
increasing, especially whee cattle are raised under range or
edverse conditions. As a “rustler ” the Hereford is surpassed
by no breed of beef cattle, and they have been-recognised as —
responding readily to a favourable environment as well as
being able to thrive under adverse conditions where other —
breeds would not do so well. On scant pastures and on the —
range where waterholes are far apart the Hereford has shown
its merit. The bulls are active, vigorous, prepotent and very —
sure breeders. 4

UNITED, STATES wal

Formerly, the Hereford was severely criticised because of a
light hindquarter, but the breed has improved wonderfully in
overcoming this defect during the last two decades. It is now
‘somewhat less rangy, more compact, and heavier fleshed
than formerly. The Hereford cows have also been criticised
because of their scanty milk flow, but they usually produce
enough to raise a good calf. The Hereford of the States has
a fuller heart girth, stronger constitution, and can with-
stand adverse conditions better than the Shorthorn. They
are early maturing, and fatten readily in the feed-lot.

The weight of the Hereford is practically the same as that
of the Shorthorn. Mature bulls weigh from 1800 to 2200 lbs.
or more, while good cows weigh from 1200 to 1600 lbs., although
it is not unusual for mature animals of either sex to weigh more
than stated.

Mr. W. F. Ward, Senior Animal Husbandman in Beef Cattle
Investigations, U.S.A., says :—

“In colour the Hereford is red with white markings. The
white markings usually consist of a white face and head, the
white extending along the top of the neck and shoulders,
a white throat and dewlap, and white on the underline.
Frequently, however, no white is found on the neck or top of
shoulders. White is sometimes found on other parts of the
body ; and, while it is permissible, it is not desirable. <A
pure white face is usually preferred, although many purebred
animals show spots about the face and especially some red
around the eyes. The red colour of the body varies from a
light red approaching yellow in colour to a very dark red ap-
-proaching black. Neither the light red nor the blackish red
colour is desirable, a rich deep red being the most popular.
The hair is usually of medium length with a curly tendency,
although short-haired animals are common.

“The general formation, of the Hereford is the same as that
of the Shorthorn, except that the rectangular form is not quite
so pronounced and the prominent bones are more smoothly
covered. The form is low, compact, and blocky, with well-
sprung ribs, broad loin, and wide hips, without the prominent
hip bones of the Shorthorn, and with a more rounded and
bulging quarter, although developed to a lesser degree in this

N

178 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE ;

respect than the Aberdeen-Angus. The head is broad and
short, with large nostrils, and large muzzle and mouth, which —
are indications of a good feeder. The horn is longer and some- —
what coarser than the Shorthorn, white in colour with waxy
tips, and curves outward, upward, and backward, or outward —
and forward and occasionally they are drooping. The horns
of the bull are straighter and heavier, and usually grow out- —
ward, frequently growing forward, backward, or downward, ;
but seldom growing upward. The neck is short, thick, and F
blends well with the shoulder. Great width, depth, and length
of chest and a fulness of the crops give the Herefords their —
constitution and endurance, which the breeders have been
careful to preserve. The loin is full and deep, and the rump j
and hindquarter are usually well developed, carrying a large
amount of flesh. This portion of the body has been greatly —
improved within recent years, and the tendency to rough-
ness and patchiness has been reduced until the breed now
stands out as one showing extreme beef type, with smoothness _
of form and much quality. For these reasons, combined with
their rustling abilities, the Hereford has become the most
popular breed for improving range stock. The effect of using
Hereford bulls for this purpose has had a great attraction for —
cattlemen in the south-west, especially in the Panhandle region
of Texas.”
The Herefords do well in the southern States, as the heat
there seems to bother them no more than it does in the corm
belt. They seem to be especially adapted for use on the
larger plantations, where animals are not given extremely
good care, and where the production of beef alone is desired.
Two or three crosses on the native stock of the south produce
a good beef animal that matures early and fattens out well.
On plantations especially, or on farms with only fairly good pas-
tures, the Hereford will give better results than the Shorthorn. —
The American Hereford Cattle Breeders’ Association men
tions the following as some of the bulls which have been most
influential in improving the Hereford breed in the fast fifteen
years: Perfection Fairfax, Beau Donald, Beau Brummel, Cor-
rector, Disturber, Bonnie Brae 8th, Perfection, March On 6th,
Prime Lad, and Repeater. es

UNITED STATES 179

PoLLED HEREFORDS

The Polled Hereford is a new breed developed by selecting
and breeding Herefords which showed polled characteristics.
The double-standard Polled Herefords are purebred Herefords
which are hornless and are eligible to registry in either the
American Hereford herd book or the American Polled Hereford
record. They differ in no way from the Hereford except that
they have no horns. The polled feature has been well fixed,
and the bulls when mated with native cattle sire few calves
having either long scurs or horns.

ABERDEEN-ANGUS

Aberdeen-Angus cattle are solid black in colour, and have
no horns. These characteristics are so strongly developed that
a bull, when bred to horned cows of various colours, will
usually produce calves of which 85 per cent or more are black
in colour and hornless. Occasionally a red animal is found in
this breed, but the colour is not popular among breeders.
Although the Aberdeen-Angus is an old breed, it is only within
recent years that it has been so popular in the United States.
While they are good rustlers, they have never been as popular
on the ranges of the west as either the Hereford or the Short-
horn. They stand next to the Hereford and above the Short-
horn as graziers on scanty pastures. This breed is extremely
valuable for grading up native cattle, but they have been
criticised to a certain extent by rangemen because they do not
get a greater percentage of calves. This has usually been true
where they have been in a herd with horned bulls. If all the
bulls were either polled or dehorned there would doubtless be
less ground for this criticism. The milking qualities of the
cows are only fair; they give more milk than the Hereford,
but not as much as the Shorthorn. A sufficient quantity of
milk is produced to raise a good calf.

This breed is very early maturing, and has a tendency to
fatten well at any age, hence their popularity for producing
baby beef. In general form they are different from the Short-
horn and Hereford. The body is more cylindrical in shape,

-

180 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

and they are smoother throughout than either of the breeds
named. The Angus responds idumily to good treatment, and, —
because of its readiness to fatten, early maturity, excep- .
tional vigour, high quality, general smoothness and uniformity,
and the high percentage of valuable meat produced, it is the
most popular of all beef breeds among cattle*feeders. They
usually dress out a higher percentage of marketable meat than —
any other breed, and their merit has been shown by the re-
peated winnings they have made in the show-ring and on the~
block.
They stand either heat or cold well, and are popular in the
south as well as in the corn belt. Because of their reputation
for finishing smoothly and killing out well they are very popu-—
lar in the corn belt and neighbouring states, where much feed-
ing is done. They are becoming more favoured in the south
and rank next to the Hereford and above the Shorthorn in
their general adaptability to average southern conditions. i
Mr. W. F. Ward says: “The head of the Angus shows 4
sharp tapered poll, great breadth between the eyes, a promi
nent forehead, prominent eyes, a nose of medium length, a
large mouth and muzzle, and large nostrils. They are more
restless or nervous than the Shorthorn. The neck is short,

times a little prominent. The chest shows great depth, width
and length. The body is cylindrical in shape, and does not
show the squareness or blockiness of the Shorthorn and the
Hereford, but is noted for its compactness and good covering
of flesh. The ribs are well sprung, curved, and long, giving
the cylindrical form to the body. The loin and rump are well
fleshed and deeply covered, but entirely different in shape
from the Shorthorn, as the great width and squareness are
absent. The deep covering of flesh of the rump, the smallness
of bone, and the deep rounding, bulging hind quarter gives ]
maximum amount of meat. Note the difference in the hine

quarter of the Angus and the Shorthorn. The latter is broad
and straight from pin bones to the hock, while the Aberdeen-
Angus has less breadth and a very rounded bulging quartel
with a deep twist. The Angus is not so low in the flank as

UNITED STATES 181

the Shorthorn, and some individuals are light in the hind-
quarter.

“The quality of the animal is unsurpassed, as shown by the
soft, pliable, mellow skin and fine hair. The meat is fine-
grained and of the highest quality. The constitution and vigour
of this breed as indicated by well-developed chest and good
heart girth are worthy of mention. For grading up native
stock and for crossing, they hold an enviable record.”

THE GALLOWAY

The Galloway is one of the oldest breeds of cattle. They
are polled, solid black in colour, though occasionally some
brown is shown, and have a long, curly, silky coat. This breed
is very prepotent, and transmits the black colour and polled
characteristics readily to offspring from cows of any colour. As
high as 90 per cent of the calves from various-coloured cows
are black, and from 95 to 99 per cent of the offspring from
horned cows are polled. This breed is slow maturing when
compared with the Aberdeen-Angus or the Hereford. In size
they are smaller than any of the other beef breeds. Mature
bulls usually weigh from 1700 to 1900 lbs., while the mature
cows weigh from 1000 to 1300 lbs. each.

These cattle are exceedingly good rustlers, not being excelled
by any other beef breed in this respect, and their long silky
coat of hair enables them to stand severe weather with little
discomfort. For these reasons they have proved to be very
valuable on some of the ranges of the north-west and of Canada.
They do not respond so readily to good treatment and to
plenty of feed as do the other breeds, and have therefore not
become popular in the corn-belt States.

In form they are low set and deep, but are proportionately
longer than the Aberdeen-Angus and flatter of rib. The head
is somewhat similar to that of the Angus, except that the poll
is not so sharp. The head is covered with long wavy hair,
and the ear is set farther back from the forehead. The body
is long and of medium depth. The rump is long and well filled,
although the tail head is usually set rather high. The hind-
quarter is usually good, being full, similar to that of the Angus.

182 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

The bone is fine, the skin mellow, the hair soft and silky, and
the grain of the meat is fine and high in quality. Little atten-
tion has been devoted to the milking qualities of Galloway
cows, but they give enough milk to raise a good calf. The milk
is regarded as ranking high in butter-fat, and having good
quality. The Galloways have commanded especial attention
because of their prepotency and the uniformity of the offspring
when the bulls are used for grading up or for crossing.

This breed will probably never be very popular in the
United States except in the north-west, where climatic con-
ditions are severe and the range grasses are often scant. In
that section, however, the bulls could be used advantageously
for grading up native stock.

DUAL-PURPOSE BREEDS

The dual-purpose cattle have been bred to produce females —
which would yield a good quantity of milk and produce off-
spring which would be desirable for beef. As the type of—
animal necessary for the production of large yields of milk is
entirely different from that of the beef animals, it has been
impossible to produce a breed which would combine these —
functions and be of superior merit for both purposes. The ©
dual-purpose animal may, however, be a desirable milker and _
at the same time produce calves which make good, though not
superior, beef animals. As there has been a constant tendency —
for some breeders to incline more to the dairy type of animals,
while others prefer to develop the beef tendencies, there has —
been, and probably always will be, a wide variation in the type —
of dual-purpose animals. They are not so uniform in confor-—
mation as either the strictly beef or dairy breeds. Most breeders”
prefer to use cows which approach the dairy type nearer than
the beef type and to use a bull of the beef type that had a —
dam with a good milk record. The offspring of such cattle
necessarily cannot be of as uniform type as the bres which .
have but one function to perform.

The dual-purpose cattle are popular with the small farmer,
who keeps but a few cattle, and must depend upon them to
produce all the milk and butter needed for the family, and at

UNITED STATES 183

the same time raise calves or steers which will sell readily for
slaughter purposes. They have not been popular with the
ranchman or farmer who raises large numbers of cattle.

The principal dual-purpose breeds in the United States are
certain types of the Shorthorn, together with the Red Polls
and Devons.

SHORTHORNS

The dual-purpose Shorthorn is more popular than any of
the other dual-purpose breeds. They respond readily to good
treatment, and have become exceedingly popular with the
smali farmer. Formerly these cattle were almost entirely of
the Bates strain, but at the present time many of them contain
considerable Scotch blood. As a breed they are the same as
the beef-bred Shorthorns, except that the beefy tendency is
not so strongly emphasised. The milking qualities have been
developed, and the cows have a conformation approaching
the regular dual-purpose form, being longer of limb, higher in
flank, larger in barrel, and thinner in hams than the beef
Shorthorns. The bulls approach the beef type more than the
cows, but are lighter in the hindquarter and a little higher in
flank and not so heavily fleshed as the strictly beef type. The
udder extends high up in the back and well forward, the milk
veins are usually very prominent, and the teats are medium
to large in size and are well set. Calves from the cows by a well-
fleshed bull usually grow and fatten well and make a good
quality of beef.

RED POoLLs

The Red-Polled cattle originated in England, and were in-
troduced into the U.S.A. in 1873, but few importations were
made until about 1885. Since that time many have been |
imported. This is strictly a dual-purpose breed, and ap-
proaches the ideal of the dual-purpose type. In size they are
smaller than the beef breeds, and have not the thick covering
of flesh. Mature bulls weigh from 1700 to 2100 lbs. or more,
and the cows from 1100 to 1350 lbs. or more. Occasionally
very heavy individuals are found, but these are the exception
and not the rule.

184 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

The cattle of this breed are fair grazers, ranking with or
slightly ahead of the Shorthorns but not equal to the Devon
or Hereford. They are very prepotent and give uniformity
in offspring when bred to native cows. Like all dual-purpose
breeds, it has been hard to fix or to hold a uniform type, as
many breeders incline to beef production, while others try to
develop the milking qualities to the detriment of the beef form.

The breed has long been celebrated for its early maturity,
easy fleshing qualities, and for a fair to good milk flow. The
steers have attracted attention and sold for high prices on
English markets for years, and have made very creditable
showings in America. They make good daily gains and
lay on flesh evenly. They are usually rather leggy, and lack
the heavy fleshing qualities of the beef breeds. The hind-
quarters are less well-developed, with a tendency toward a
rather thin thigh and a high flank and twist.

The milking qualities of the breed are fair. Many of the cows
average over 5000 lbs. of milk a year. The cows flesh up
readily when dry.

In conformation these cattle resemble the Devon. The head
is lean, medium in length, with a well-defined poll, covered
with a nice tuft of hair of medium length. The neck is longer
and thinner than in the beef breeds, and does not blend with
the shoulders so nicely. The chest is unusually well developed
and the ribs well sprung, though lacking in a thick covering of
flesh. The barrel is developed to a greater extent than with —
the beef breeds, and the loin and hindquarter are lighter fleshed.
The bone is of medium size. The skin is thin, soft, and pliable,
and the hair is short and fine, showing quality. The colour
ranges from light red to dark red, but a deep, rich red is pre-—
ferred throughout, although a little white on the udder or
underline and a white brush are permissible. The udder is
well developed in the back, but does not come forward well ;
it is “° chopped off,’ and the tendency is to develop large teats.
The milk veins are prominent and of fair size.

The Red Polls are more nervous than the Shorthorn, but less ;
so than the Aberdeen-Angus. As this is a comparatively —
young breed, they are not so popular as the older breeds. As—
dual-purpose cattle they are hard to excel,

UNITED STATES «185

DEVONS

Devons, one of the oldest breeds of cattle, were introduced
into the United States at an early date, and became popular
in New England and in parts of Virginia nearly a century
ago. The cows were good milkers, and the steers were used
as work oxen or for beef, and filled either place admirably.
They are exceedingly good rustlers, are vigorous, hardy, with-
stand both heat and cold well, and are very prepotent. For
these reasons they were popular with the people of New
England. They are slower of growth than any of the beef
breeds except the Galloway. Their endurance, intelligence,
and their gameness have made them popular as work oxen
wherever they have been tried—no breed excels them in this
respect.

In size they are somewhat smaller than the Red Polled,
mature bulls weighing from 1500 to 2000, and cows from 1100
to 1400 pounds or more. They are solid red in colour, white
being permitted only on the udder, or near the scrotum of the
male, and on the switch of the tail. The shade of red varies,
but a rich bright red is preferred. In conformation the Devons
incline more to the beef type than to the dual-purpose type.
They are close coupled, very compact, smooth, and rank high
in quality and style. They have small bone, which is hard
and compact, giving a slender, fine leg.

The head is lean, clean cut, of medium length, and sur-
mounted by rather long white or waxy horns, which curve
upward, forward, outward, and backward in the cow, and are
almost straight in the bull. The horns of the steers are large,
long, and often widespread, usually being very white or
waxy, with dark tips. The neck is medium in length, smooth,
and blends nicely with the shoulder. The body is compact,
fairly well covered with flesh, has well-sprung, deep ribs, and
is usually low set. The chest, back, loin, and hindquarter are
usually well developed, though the flank and twist are usually
somewhat higher than in the beef breeds. The cows are fair
to good milkers, giving rich milk, and always provide an abun-
dance to bring forward a good calf. The steers fatten some-
what slower than the beef breeds, but produce meat fine in

186 THE WORLD'S MEAT FUTURE

texture and of good quality. The breed cannot be surpassed
as good feeders, but they are usually slower in growth than
the beef breeds, and this alone can account for the fact that
they have never become popular throughout the country.
In New England, in parts of the south, and in a few other
States the Devon has proved profitable, especially on lands
where the grazing was rather scant or of poor quality. They
are prepotent ; good calves are produced when good bulls are
mated with common cows, and such calves usually make fair
milkers,

BRAHMAN OR “INDIAN ”? CATTLE

Under the names of ‘‘ Brahman,” ‘‘ Indian,” or ‘“‘ Zebu ” cattle
are classified a number of different strains of cattle of the species
Bos indicus. Some of these strains vary so in type, colour,
size and habitat that they are classified as separate breeds.
The most important breeds of. these cattle are the Krishna
Valley and Hissar. These cattle are classed as dual-purpose
animals, as many of the females give a good quantity of
milk. They are used quite generally in India as milch cows,
and are more satisfactory than any other breed of cattle
under the severe conditions of drought, heat, insect enemies,
etc. .

As these cattle have been 1aised for more than three thou-
sand years in a hot climate, they are only suitable for warm
country. Although they are of a different species from our
common breeds of cattle, they cross readily with them. The
females of this breed carry their calves somewhat longer than
other cattle, the period of gestation being about three hundred
days.

The oil secreted by the sebaceous glands of the skin is of a —

peculiar odour and gives the skin a soft, oily feeling. This
peculiarity, combined with the scant covering of hair and the
extremely tough hide, affords these animals considerable pro-
tection from ticks, mosquitoes, ete. Cattle ticks do not bother
the purebred cattle at all, and few of the half-breeds become
infested to any appreciable extent. :

These cattle stand the heat well, and have great endurance,
moving readily in a fast walk or trot. They make the best

ia +?

UNITED STATES 187

of work steers if handled constantly by one driver, but they
have a nervous disposition, and give considerable trouble where
the drivers are frequently changed. They are more nervous
than any of our breeds of cattle. When raised in small herds
and handled constantly they are quite docile, but if handled
under range conditions they become very wild, and stampede
or fight readily. The quality of the beef from these animals
or from grade Brahmans is slightly inferior to that of either
the beef breeds or the dual-purpose cattle, but they dress out
a high percentage of meat.

In size the bulls range from 1500 to 1800 pounds, and many
of them attain a height of 6 ft., while the cows usually weigh
from 1100 to 1400 pounds. The various strains of these cattle
have different colours, although each strain has a fixed colour.
The colours are pure white or a creamy white, silvery grey, red,
and dark brown approaching black. The silver-grey, with
dark fawn on shoulders and neck, and the creamy white, are
the most popular colours. Many of the animals have brindle
stripes on the body.

The chief characteristics of the breed are the large hump on
the withers, the large loose folds of skin forming the dewlap
and the navel, and the long, drooping, pendulous ears. The
head is also characteristic of this breed, as it is long, with a
forehead which recedes from the eyes to the horns, while the
bones forming the brow are prominent. The head tapers
gradually from the eyes to the nostrils, the horns are dark,
short, straight, heavy at the base, and point upward and
backward. The ears are very long, drooping, and are thin
and oily, frequently being almost devoid of hair. The eye is
mild and sleepy, but changes quickly when the animal is
aroused. The neck is of medium length and has heavy folds
of skin forming an over-developed dewlap with fulness at the
throttle. The body is deep but rather narrow, the hips are
long, sloping, and narrow, and the rump often droops toward
the tail. The legs are long, tapering, and show a strong bone
free from coarseness. A very heavy sheath is developed, and
in old bulls often hangs 9 in. or more below the belly. The
hump is large in the males, attaining a height of 12 to 16 inches,
but is not so well developed in the females. The half-bred

188 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

males may have a moderately developed hump, but the half-
bred females have none. Animals which contain as little as
one-sixteenth Brahman blood usually show some Brahman
characteristics, especially in the shape of the head and the
loose folds of skin forming dewlap and navel.

bo 5a Eg RON |: Lag ha NG

Tue Bai.irr’s House aT Lorp RotuscHI.p’s, TRING, ENGLAND,
witH A Group oF RED PoLLs

— ——- = | *

CANADA

CANADIAN farmers are making strenuous efforts to augment
their meat supplies, the number of cattle in 1917 being about
8,000,000, against 6,600,000 in 1916—an, increase of 20 per
cent. Sheep also increased from 2,022,941 in 1916 to 2,369,358
in 1917. The Government is assisting the farmers in every
way to increase their live-stock.

The Hon. Martin Burrell (Minister of Agriculture), in a
statement issued recently, outlines a co-operative plan reached
between the Department and the Canadian railways. The aim
of the scheme is to prevent depletion of Canadian breeding and
feeding stock, insure the feeding of live-stock in Canada, and to
secure the return of feeding and breeding-stock to the farms.
It comprises :—

A redistribution policy, which will provide for the move-
ment of stock from areas where feed is light to areas where feed
is plentiful.

Free freight policy in connection with the transportation of
breeding cattle and breeding sheep.

Fifty per cent rebate of the freight rate on car-load ship-
ments of feeding cattle from Winnipeg to country points in
the eastern provinces.

Free shipments of car-loads of breeding sheep and lambs
from Toronto and Montreal to the West. Just imagine a
proposal such as this on the State-owned railways of
Australia, where stud stock are more heavily freighted than
fat stock when being conveyed. The ‘“‘ democratic ” popula-
tion of the big cities would at once raise a cry that the
farmers were -being favoured, instead of having brains to
understand that the more the producer is assisted, the better
it must be for the consumer.

The Government of New Brunswick (Canada), through its
Department-of Agriculture, is giving publicity to a proposal

189

190 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE’

formulated under recent legislation by which it is hoped the
oD «
pastoralists of the Province will be encouraged to devote more

‘attention to sheep than has been done in the past. Briefly, the

Government’s proposal is this : through an arrangement made
with the chartered banks, assistance will be given where it is
needed to all farmers to buy sheep. The Department of Agri-

culture will not only arrange to buy sheep for the farmers, but

will also buy from the farmers any good breeding stock that
may be available. If a farmer needs credit, he may consult a
local banker, and from him obtain the necessary forms. If
sheep are not to be had in any given locality, a farmer there
resident will be given an opportunity to purchase through the
banks and the Agricultural Department in another part of the
Province.

The Canadian Minister of Agriculture, in a pamphlet dealing
with beef-raising, says: ‘‘ Canada recognises that to succeed

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in the production of beef the requirements of the purchaser

must be complied with. The standard of the beef market has
changed greatly in recent years. Not many years ago the best
market demanded large, heavy, thick bullocks weighing 1800
to 2000 lb., but the demand has changed, and cattle of that
description are no longer in demand. The bullock that com-
mands the highest price is a compact, well-finished animal
weighing not more than 1500 lb. on foot, and if he weighs only
1200 Ib., he will command the highest market price, provided
he has the form, quality and finish. Even the thousand-pound
‘baby beef’ is looked for by the man with the money on this
side of the Atlantic, but such cattle are not shipped abroad.
This change is greatly to the advantage of the producer, as,
other things being equal, the younger the animal goes to market
the less is the cost of food and the greater the profit to the pro-
ducer.

QUALITY AND WEIGHT OF CATTLE

“The British market demands cattle of moderate weights,
good quality, and carrying sufficient fat in connection with the
lean meat to secure a high degree of excellence without waste.
To secure delicate flavour and tenderness a certain proportion
of fat is necessary, and this should be incorporated with the

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CANADA 193

flesh or lean meat rather than appear only as a covering to the
muscles. The great secret in producing a carcase of beef is to
treat an animal in such a way that the fat grows with it during
the entire period of its lifetime. It is unfortunately the too
common practice of Canadian, beef-raisers to produce all the
fat that an animal carries in the course of a few months. Much
of the fat put on it this way is deposited on the outside of the
carcase ; it is largely wasted, as it is useful for little else than
tallow. The carcase that dresses out showing specks and
streaks of fat throughout the lean tissue commands the highest

SHORTHORN Cows AT EDMONTON EXHIBITION

price. Such beef is regarded as much of a delicacy as the finest
turkey or lamb. The only way to be sure of prime quality is to
maintain the animal in good condition by a system of liberal
feeding from birth to maturity. Then the finishing period is
comparatively short, and the carcase produces the highly
desirable marbled beef.

“Tt will be gathered that the requirements of both the feeder
and the butcher must be considered in the selection or breed-
ing of the most profitable steer. The feeder must have in his
animal good bone, roomy paunch and a deep broad chest,
while to the butcher’s steer these parts have no particular
value, because it is in these that much waste occurs. Giving

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pee
* st

194 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

the requirements of both feeder and butcher due consideration,
a standard of perfection has been built up, in which each part
of the animal is afforded a numerical value according to its
importance. The following score-card agreed upon by many
of the foremost demonstrators and instructors in animal hus-
bandry will be of value to students who desire to become pro-
ficient in the judging of beef cattle :—

Ea

SCORE-CARD FOR BEEF STEER

General appearance, 40.

Weight, according to age .... ¢ 2°. + .% + «sae 10 —
Form, straight topline and underline ; deep, broad, '
low set, stylish’. 6 5,6 S20 50S 10
Quality, firm handling, hair fine, pliable skin, dense
bone, evenly, Heshed 23.0.5. 7a 10 —
Condition, deep even covering of firm flesh, especially |

in the regions of valuable cuts .............. 10°
Head and neck, 7.

Muzzle, broad, mouth large, jaw wide, nostrils large
Eyes, large, clear, placid ,.°..... 3... :¥s 5 Renee
Face, short, expression Quiet <3... 7. .....:1uigeeiees
Forehead, broad, falls, .66:...5 30.6 S205 pee
Ears, medium. size, fine texture .:: 5...) ae eee
Horns, fine texture, oval, medium size ............
Neck, thick; short, throat clean’ .g......s.0eeemeee

Forequarters, 8.
Shoulder vein, full’) 2.5 G00. 25945 1 ae
Shoulders, covered with flesh, compact on top, smooth
Brisket, advanced; breast wide .......:.-cssveees
Dewlap, skin not loose and drooping ........... oe
Legs, straight, short ; arm full, shank fine, smooth .
Body, 32.
Chest, full, deep, wide, girth large, crops full ......
Ribs, long, arched, thickly fleshed \......... -.0s
Back, broad, straight, smooth, even .............. 1
Loin, thick, broad’... 3i)...055-0.7-04. cae be eee 3
Flank, full, even with underline ..............0-.

CANADA 195

Hindquarters, 13.

Hips, smoothly covered, distance apart in proportion

UGLIER il GE Ra gm a ag
Rump, long, wide, even, ; tail head smooth, not patchy
Pin bones, not prominent, far apart ..............-
Miimense full decpy wider f.6Y 0). Sees oat Cogeco bs
Meriter cleens, PLUM tes vaste «<< cdl eh gare so bao we es Se
Purse, full, indicating fleshiness .......%42--.---+-
Legs, straight, short ; shank fine, smooth ........

Dewy bw & bw bw

IMPORTED SHORTHORN BULL, GAINFORD MARQUIS

Maxkina Baspy BEEF In ALBERTA

Although considerable numbers of three and even four-year-
old grass-fed steers still come from the ranges of Alberta, the
rapidly increasing production, of grain and cultivated fodders
is tending to bring about the marketing of cattle at a much
earlier age than was usual under the old conditions. For some
years past sales of two-year-old fat steers, and, unfortunately,
also heifers, have been, increasing in frequency, but baby beef
has until now been unknown on the Alberta market. The
following brief statement of an experiment in the fattening

196 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

of last year’s calves on the Canadian Pacific Railway supply
farm at Strathmore should, therefore, be of interest.

Recently, forty-four steer calves, mostly of Hereford and
Shorthorn breeding, which had been running with their dams
from birth, were weaned and placed in feeding pens holding
from eight to fifteen head, in the big barn at Strathmore. A
few were March calves, but the great majority were from six
to eight months old. Some were of excellent beef type and
quality, but, as beyond taking the best of those which happened
to be on hand, they were not specially selected, a number more
or less lacking from the feeder’s standpoint. Calves quite as
good, or even better, are readily procurable in Alberta every
fall. They averaged in weight on 23rd November slightly
over 486 lbs., being scarcely as good in flesh as they would have
been had the weather in October and November been more
favourable than it was last year. Circumstances also prevented
the carrying out of a very valuable feature in the production
of baby beef, namely, the teaching of the calves to eat chop
when still with their dams, thus holding the milk flesh and
forestalling the check at weaning, unavoidable otherwise.
Throughout the feeding périod the calves had all the fodder
they would eat up clean. At the beginning, a little restriction
was put on the quantity of grain given, 2 lbs. per head per day

being the amount started with. By the end of the first month —

this quantity had been more than doubled, between 6 and

7 lbs. per head per day being the grain ration from the begin- —

ning of full feed until the calves were sold. The grain mixture
used at the start was two parts of oats, one part of barley, and

one part of bran. About the Ist of February the barley was —
increased to half the ration, and the same proportion of bran —

continued. A small quantity of frosted flax, costing a half-

penny a pound, was used after the Ist of January, a total of ©
60 bushels being fed from then until the end of April. All the —

grain required was valued at the market prices prevailing from
the same at the end of October

bushel, and bran £4/14/8 per ton. With the grinding, the grain”
figured to approximately 3d. per lb. Green oat sheaves fur-_

nished the bulk of the fodder, about 2 lbs. of oat sheaves to

1 Ib. of hay being the proportion. The oat sheaves were valued”

oats at 1/11, barley 2/103 per —

.

al

VAVNVQ ‘AVA NVIGN] “AILLVD 10 AON"

a

Ne — + oo

CANADA 199

at £1/8/10 per ton in the fall, and the hay £2/13/6 per ton for
alfalfa and £1/8/10 per ton for the prairie hay. The quantities
used of each made the cost of the hay approximately £2/1/2
per ton. The barn was well lighted and ventilated, and water
and salt were available at all times.

The price realised was 4d. per lb., with a cut of 4d. per lb.
on the fifteen light calves, and 5-per cent shrinkage on the
whole, as they were weighed out of the barn. This figured out
as follows :—

Cost.
44 calves, total weight 21,404 lbs. £264 4 I1
54,068 lbs. oat sheaves .......:. 38 18 9
AS GSO DSS DAY ro. 2s se 1-15, se estee 4418 9
SB UIs CG) “Sapogbesoooe de 104 10 O
6903bs: bran-4 '.5.% 4 ses sss. ot 1646 8
£468 19 1
RETURNS.
29 calves, 24,285 Ibs. at 4d. .... £424 14 9
15 calves, 10,595 Ibs. at 33d. .... 163 10 O
£588 4 9
Less 5 per cent shrinkage on
37 Bt (Dally Sa ae diccot pion clot ZO St ok
£558 16 6
Deduct cost as above .......... 468 19 1
JA WO HG Bando monotone Sc £89 17 5

Cost per lb. of gain, 33d.

The calves were purchased and were weighed out on the 6th
of May, having been 164 days on feed. Forty-four head
weighed a total of 34,880 lbs., an average of over 702 Ibs. The
gain made by each calf averaged about 305 lbs. for the period.
A lot of eight Herefords made the largest gains during the
feeding. On 6th May this lot, averaging just under twelve
months of age, weighed 950 lbs. each. Another lot of fifteen,
averaging in age under eleven months, weighed 798 lbs. each ;
a third lot of six head of the same age, 786 lbs. ; and a pen of
fifteen of the youngest calves 706 lbs.

This out-turn shows a net profit of nearly £2/1/2 per head.
Considering feed prices this year, this may be considered a
very fair return. Under ordinary conditions, with grain worth
about 3/1 per cwt. instead of 6/2, with hay at least 8/2? per

THE

200

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dX. et ey,

Sh fly
lo-

WORLD'S

MEAT

FA, a Vi Pr Ze
AN (bee
2 oho mm. Wow See t LY apes
wi ALL Ne
Points OF BEEF CATTLE. SIDE
. Muzzle. 17. Shoulder.

|

2. Mouth.

3. Nostril.

7. Eye.

8. Ear.

). Poll.

). Horn,

1. Neck.

2. Throat.

4. Top of chest, or
neck.

. Top of shoulder

PoINTs OF BEEF

4. Lips. 18.

5. Face. 21.

6. Forehead. 24.
15. Neck vein, orshoul- 3

der vein, 35

CATTLE.

. Point of shoulder.
. Arm.
. Shank.

Brisket.
Topline.
Crops.

2ibs or barrel.

Foreflank.

. Back or chine.

Loin.

Hind flank.

Point of shoulder.
srisket.
Girth.

. Pin bones.

. Buttocks.

FUTURE

VIEW

. Underline, or bottom

line.

. Hip, point of hip,

hook bone,
{ump.

3: Tailhead. }}

35. Buttocks.

37
39.

5 Oh
. Hock.
. Navel.

Front AND REAR VIEWS

. Twist.

Purse.

CANADA 201

ton cheaper, and with the price of the finished product as high
as that realised—for these calves sold at a moderate price,
considering their quality and finish—there would have been a
net profit of £3/9/11 per head. Careful observation of these
calves during the winter confirmed the following practical
conclusions, about which there is perhaps nothing very new :
That feeding calves for baby beef pays even under prevailing
high prices for feeds and moderate prices for beef. That the
best gains are made by calves about eight months old at the
beginning of the feeding period. That it pays to select the
calves carefully, taking only those that carry a fair amount of
natural fleshing and that have never had a set-back. That
beef type and natural fleshing are the controlling factors in
determining the length of time and quantity of feed required
to fit a calf for the block ; calves of dairy type and calves of
beef type lacking somewhat in fleshing at the start will not
make gain comparable with that made by deep-fleshed, low-
set, thick, blocky calves that have never had their growth
checked—calves of the thin-fleshed order incline to belly-fat,
and do not cover deeply with flesh on the back and loin. The
last conclusion is that quietness in the food lot, gentleness in
handling the calves, and careful attention to feeding regularly
have nearly as much to do with the final results as has the
feed.

MEXICO

THE Republic of Mexico has an area of 772,652 square miles, —
and is roughly 800 miles from east to west at its widest point,
and 2000 miles from north to south, thus being equal to New
South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, or, say, a quarter —
of federated Australia. |

Mexico has about 6,000,000 cattle and 4,000,000 sheep, and
with its great advantages in railway communications with its
great northern neighbour, the United States, and its excellent —
shipping facilities on the Atlantic side, should, with an improve-—
ment in its quality of stock, soon become an important factor
in the export of frozen meat.

There seems to be a considerable confusion in the minds of
many between Mexico and New Mexico. Mexico (or, as it is
generally called, Old Mexico), after the termination of the war
with the United States of America in February, 1848, ceded to
that Republic as war indemnity all lands north and west of
the Rio Grande River ; included in this was the territory called
New Mexico.

Mexico as a country has been endowed by Nature with an
over-abundant supply of natural resources, rich in minerals, |
silver in almost every mountain, copper and lead are plentiful,
gold also being found in fairly Jarge proportions. The northern
States are phenomenally rich in immense coal beds, and in the
States of Durango and Nuevo Leon are found almost solid
mountains of iron. Turning to the other sources of its wealth,
we find large tracts of splendid agricultural and grazing lands
The formation of the country is peculiar. It rises in three
distinct tablelands from the coast; first are the hot land
(tierra caliente) near the coast, where all tropical growth is
abundant in fruits and forests; then as the land rises from
2000 to 5000 ft. above sea-level comes what is called the tem-

202

MEXICO 203

perate zone (tierra templada). Here it is eternal spring. Then
as the land gets higher up to the Sierra Madre comes the cold
belt (tierra fria), cold only in comparison with the other
warmer parts, as snow is seldom seen except on the high
mountain peaks, but where frosts in winter prevent the growth
of the more tropical fruits and vegetables. The two latter
zones are the great stock-raising portions of the Republic,
healthy alike for man and beast.

The system of running stock in Mexico is very much after
the old style that was in vogue in Australia fifty years ago.
Sheep and goats are shepherded in flocks of from 1200 to 2000,
the shepherd (pastor) has no dog to help him, but breaks in his
flock to turn at certain cries ; at night he brings his flock to the
camping ground (majada), and so well trained are they that
wherever they see the shepherd’s fire they coil down and re-
main, till morning, unless disturbed in the night by wild animals,
when it is the duty of the shepherd to get round them and bring
them back to their camping ground, the coyote (wild dog) being
most troublesome. The shepherd has no tent or hut, merely
a piece of oilcloth to sleep on or to keep his provisions dry ;
hence the shifting of camp is an easy matter, and a flock never
remains on one camp more than a few nights—a decided ad-
vantage. Over every four shepherds there is a “‘ vaquero ”
(overseer), whose duty it is to count sheep, carry water and
rations to the shepherds, and look for any stray sheep. Over
every four “ vasieros ” there is a ““mayordomo ” (head man)
who has the general supervision, over all, and issues rations, etc.

Lambing is quite a laborious undertaking. First, all ewes in
lamb are carefully drafted out and run in small flocks not ex-
ceeding 1000 ; each day’s lot of lambs are kept apart in small
“ atajos ’ (flocks) until the lambs are well mothered, when
several of these “‘ atajos ” are joined ; the lambed flocks are
never larger than 300 until the lambs are marked. All this
necessitates a number of extra hands, but as labour is very
cheap, from 18/— to 20/— a month, it pays to do it, and usually
good percentages are raised.

Shearing is done in temporary sheds of boughs, with mother
earth as a floor, swept more or less carefully (generally less)
for the occasion. One of the shearers being appointed captain,

at le

204 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

the rest bow implicitly to all his commands, and it is to him
the owner of the sheep brings all complaints, such as improper
shearing, ete. The shearers’ tallies are kept by each man
receiving a check as he releases his shorn sheep. The owner
pays a lump sum on the grand total as counted out by him to
the captain, who arranges with the men their individual
amount. The usual price for shearing is 10/— a hundred, and
the shearers find themselves. On very large ranches it is less,
even as low as 8/—. Wool is packed into large sacks by the
simple process of tramping it in, fleece, pieces and bellies all
in one mass, these sacks averaging about 300 Ibs. Shearing
twice a year is universal, and it is claimed by this method fully
1} lbs. more per sheep is obtained. Buyers usually come round
at shearing and purchase delivered at nearest railway station.
Scab, the sheepman’s greatest curse, is still prevalent in
Mexico; wherever the owners of sheep are Mexicans, they
either do not realise that it can be cured or are too indolent to
stamp it out by united effort; where sheep are owned by
Australians, English, or Americans, the flocks are usually free
from this parasite.

Goats are largely raised, as hide are most prolific, and a
ready sale for their carcases is always to be had at from 4/— to
5/— each, whilst their hides are shipped in immense quantities
to America for shoemaking, and realise locally about 2/6 each.

By far the pleasantest branch of the stock business is in
breeding cattle, and this, after goats, is the most lucrative.
Formerly they were run in a haphazard style on free range,
and all owners together, but now as land is being bought up
and fenced, the small men with no land are being squeezed
out, and gradually the cattle industry is getting into the hands
of the wealthier classes. The system of working the cattle is
a happy combination of the best methods of all countries ;
properties are bought, fenced by barbed wire, and subdivided ;
stockyards, tanks, and wells put down, and the more improved
strains of Hereford, Durham, and Polled Angus are being
introduced. The markets for fat stock are the principal
cities of Mexico, Cuba, and the United States of America.
It is a very healthy place for cattle. I have never seen or heard
of a case of pleuro or foot-and-mouth disease, and the calvings

‘Sa “. 8 ¢

z fess =~

OGRE Ss inti anise

Peis «fe ran ted ue

MEXICO 205

are usually of a high percentage, averaging over 70 per cent.
Horses do very well, but there is little sale for them apart
from those required for the Mexican cavalry. Mule-breeding
is, however, a most lucrative business, and splendid animals
are obtained by using American jacks (donkeys) of from 15
to 16 hands put to native mares. The demand is keen for
mules, unbroken, three years old.

As to the price of land, it is very varied, there being, as in
all countries, good, bad, and indifferent. Land that will carry
a bullock to 10 acres can be bought, fenced and improved, at
from 6/— to 7/— an acre, according to its location, to railways
or large cities. Unimproved land of about the same carrying
capabilities, but further back, can be bought at from 2/— and
upwards, while some parts sell as low as 6d. an, acre in large
tracts of poorer quality. lrrigable lands are much higher,
running from £6 to £10 an acre.

The star of Mexico, as a meat exporter, is waxing, and it
promises to shine still more brightly, as among the countries
of the world few possess such a combination of advantages
for successful stock-raising and cheap meat production. About
three-fourths of the whole area is considered suitable only for
grazing and agriculture, and the bulk of it is chiefly valuable
for grazing. American ranchers, who have been crowded out
of their own country by the encroachment of settlers and the
handicap of the now almost prohibitive land values in, the
United States, have realised the great field awaiting them in
Mexico, the richness, the vast extent, and the low cost of the
splendid pastures, and so it has come to pass that enterprising
men, with money and experience, have been migrating from
their own, country to where they can obtain land at a fifth of
the price per acre that similar land would command in, Texas.

Although the quality of Mexican, live-stock is at present in-
ferior to that produced by the United States and Canada, rapid
progress is being made, and there is an increasing percentage
of cattle suitable for export as refrigerated meat, while for the
tinned-meat trade there is an ample supply. When it is borne
in mind that Mexico is equal in area to the United Kingdom,
France, Germany, Spain, and Portugal, and that the greater
part of it can be most profitably utilised by the production of

206 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

live-stock, it can easily be seen that there are marked possi-
bilities of a big trade. The rainfall over the greater part of the
territory is sufficient to ensure the growth of nutritious grasses,
and the quality of fat produced by these grasses compares
favourably with the production on the prairies of Canada, the
United States, and Argentina.

The Mexican National Packing Company, Limited, is about
the most favoured meat company in the world. Mexico was
noted as the possessor of the most faulty and out-of-date
system of dealing with meat that existed in any country of
equal importance, and in order to place it on a more sanitary
footing, and to enable the people to be provided with wholesome
meat, the Mexican Government granted the packing company
very extensive and valuable concessions. The people of
Mexico can now purchase clean refrigerated meat, and they
can purchase it at a lower price than they formerly paid for a
poorer quality of meat handled in an insanitary manner.

Taking everything into consideration, the improving quality
of the cattle, the favourable climatic conditions, and the short
average rail haul to the packing houses, it is tolerably certain
that before long Mexico will be counted as one of the world’s
big meat suppliers. It only awaits a more settled government,
which no doubt will come after the war, when the German
influence is removed, to make this one of the most important
and the closest big beef supply to the British Empire and the
United States.

I shall never forget the trip I made some years ago from
Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico. The railway most of the way
rises five feet in every hundred, and the scenery everywhere is
magnificent. At Esperanza, near the top of the range, we, as
usual, broke our journey for the night, when we were ban-
queted by the native population. We passed en route the
magnificent mountain of Orizaba, and from then on travelled

over a vast grassy plateau to the capital. We were conveying

big consignments of Mexican dollars to the coast for shipment,

per Royal Mail steamers, to China. They were eventful and —

exciting journeys indeed.

PAE ION le es al nee eI TNA rete oan 8K

VENEZUELA

Tus Republic is bounded on the south by Brazil, on the north
by the Caribbean Sea, east by the Atlantic, British Guiana,
and Brazil; and west by Colombia ; it is 700 miles north and
south, and 650 miles west and east. It has a population of
2,600,000:

The area of Venezuela is variously given between 394,000
and 600,000 square miles, but the larger figure includes terri-
tory whose possession, is not definitely settled, or which has
only been approximately surveyed.

The great llanos or plains are a marked physical feature of
Venezuela. At one time they were the home of huge herds
of cattle and horses. They are covered with rich natural grass,
with some wooded areas, and the general elevation above sea-
level is about 400 ft. Due to the flat and uniform surface, the
Nanos are inundated in the rainy season, from the waters of
the Orinoco to the extent of thousands of square miles, or
connected with a network of connecting channels.

It is a magnificent cattle-rearing country, and at the present
time possesses about 2,000,000 head, mostly small and wiry.
It is a country that should easily run 20,000,000. It has
already exported frozen beef, and promises to increase its
shipments. .

The plains are thickly studded with low trees, and the
Orinoco, the great water highway of Venezuela, is fringed in
its lower course with magnificent evergreen, forests. Vene-
zuela is the home of the cow tree, which yields large quantities
of nutritious, thick milky juice. Countless herds of cattle
once were supported on the grassy Ilanos, but there has been
a great decrease in the numbers through the murrain and
other causes. The llanos or pampas occupy a fourth of the
country lying between the Orinoco and the northern moun-

207

208 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

tains, with undulating plains of long grass broken by numerous
clumps or belts of low-sized trees. It is almost unnecessary
to say that the lower lying portion of Venezuela consists of
unhealthy swamps with luxuriant vegetation, accompanied by
tropical fevers. The llanos have the rainy season in the
summer months. .

In the prevince of Apure the pastures are abundant al] the
year, a great number of horses, mules and asses feeding on the
plains. The most elevated part, in the province of Trujillo,
has declivities with fine, well-wooded valleys, and between —
them several plains descending in gentle slopes, covered with
fine pasture. Sheep are only numerous in the mountains and
hilly tracts, cattle, horses, mules and asses being run on the
plains or llanos, hence their name of cattle-plains. The greatest
heat is experienced on the cattle-plains ; on that undulating
country the thermometer ranges between, 83 deg. and 95 deg., —
and the mean annual heat, 83 deg., is greater than that of the
Equator at the sea-level. At the lower end of the Rio Apure
the heat is intolerable during the dry season, as the north-
easterly wind passes over the strongly heated surface of the
tableland before it arrives at the low plains of the Apure, and
thus the air feels as if it came from an oven, the same as on & —
“ brickfielder ”’ day in parts of Australia. The heated sand,
which is suspended in the air and carried forward by whirl-—
winds, renders it still more disagreeable. The temperature of
this part is between 86 deg. and 98 deg., the mean annual heat —
being 91 deg., although it is much less in those parts which are
covered with forests. There the mean temperature is only about
77 deg., and the thermometer ranges between 73 deg. and 82
deg. In the dry season the heat is greatest from January to
March, but in the wet, from July to December, it is
frequently accompanied by heavy thunderstorms, partially
clearing the air. At this time of the year rains are generally
abundant and continual. By an estimate it has been found
that, on an average, it rains three hours every day, generally
towards evening; about midsummer it sometimes dees not
rain for a whole month. This season is called the Little
Summer of St. John. In the extensive forests of the southern
district the annual amount of rain is between 90 and 1006

VENEZUELA 209

inches. The rain which descends in this tract in one day
frequently exceeds what falls in a whole week in the southern
countries of Europe during the most rainy period of the year.
On the lower grassy plains the annual rainfall varies between,
70 and 80 inches. On, the higher region, of the Andes it rains
all the year round, especially after sunrise. On, the paramos or
higher ground (more than, 10,000 ft. above sea-level) it snows
and hails continuously, and the air is always charged with a
thick fog, which disappears at midnight but returns at sunrise.

Between the Rio Apure and the Rio Meta, both affluents of
the Orinoco, are the llanos of Apure, containing the lowest por-
tion of the cattle-plains. The lowest tract is only 224 ft. above
the level of the sea, though more than 500 miles distant from
that part of the ocean to which the waters descend. This plain
is so level that the current of the Apure and Meta is impercep-
tible, and the least rise in the Orinoco causes their waters to
flow back. No rock, no stones, not even a pebble is seen on
these plains. The soil consists of a mixture of sand and chalk.
It is covered with very nourishing grass, and large numbers of
cattle, horses, and mules always find pasture. The only in-
equalities of the surface are sandhills, which rise a few yards
above the common level, and slightly elevated grounds
called banks. These banks are hardly perceptible, but are
of great value, as they are not subject to inundation, and
consequently afford pasturage for the cattle when the lower
parts of the plain are covered with water. In the dry season
this plain is one immense pasture-ground, until it is again
flooded from the Apure and Meta, when the tract on both
sides of the lower Apure resembles the Delta of Egypt. The
whole plain becomes an immense lake, in which the banks
appear like islands. There are tracts then more than 100 miles
in length, 20 miles wide, in which the water is from 10 to 12 ft.
deep, capable of floating large barges.

The most uneven, portion of the cattle-plains lies west of the
River Orinoco. This country is covered with low hills, re-
sembling the waves of the ocean when, agitated by a gale, being
overgrown. with coarse grass. The level grassy plains are few,
and not of great extent. On the southern edge of this uneven
part of the plain are several isolated hills, which are surrounded

In

210 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

by extensive plains covered with fine grass ; these plains may
be considered as the commencement of the immense savannahs —
which extend southward. a
The plains of Venezuela extend over about 26,000 leagues, or 3
312,000 square miles. This tract, though one immense plain, —
presents a great variety in elevation, climatic, and productive —
powers. Some tracts are hardly elevated above the sea, whilst —
others rise to nearly 1300 ft. Some are arid deserts, while the —
vegetation of others is extremely vigorous nearly all through —
the year. The trees on these plains stand singly or form groves.
of small extent.
The Venezuelans are great meat eaters, literally devouring
their own flocks of sheep and herds of cattle. The consumption |
of meat is immense in the country, being almost on a level
with Australia. The town of Caracas, with a population
of one-tenth that of Paris, consumes more than one-half
the quantity of beef annually used in the capital of France.
The iguana is eaten and is considered a great dainty. 'Twenty-
five years ago Venezuela had 9,000,000 cattle, 6,000,000 sheep
and goats, and nearly 2,000,000 swine. That peculiar animal,
the sloth, comes from Venezuela, and so does the ant-eater.
There is at present one refrigerating plant in Venezuela, viz.
the Venezuela Meat and Product Syndicate, Ltd., of London,
It is situated at Puerto Cabello.
I have not been to Venezuela since 1884, so have had to e
on books of reference for part of the above.

eo. *

BRITISH GUIANA

BRITISH GUIANA occupies an area, equal in extent to Great
Britain, in the north-east of South America. It is bounded on
the north by the Atlantic Ocean, on, the south and the south-
west by Brazil, on the east by Dutch Guiana, and on the north-
west by Venezuela. It has a seaboard of about 270 miles
trending in a south-easterly direction, and a maximum depth
of about 500 miles. The colony may be divided broadly into
three belts. The northern one consists of a low-lying flat and
swampy belt of marine alluvium, known as the coastal region.
This rises gradually from the seaboard, and extends inland for
a distance varying from 10 to 40 miles. It is succeeded by a
broader and slightly elevated tract of country composed of
sandy and clayey, practically sedentary, soils. This belt is
chiefly undulating land, and is traversed in places by tracts of
sand-dunes rising from 50 to 180 ft. above sea-level. The more
elevated portion lies to the southward of the above-mentioned
regions. It rises gradually to the south-west, between the
river valleys, which are in many parts swampy, and contains
three principal mountain ranges, several irregularly distributed
smaller ranges, and in the southern and eastern parts many
isolated hills and mountains. The eastern portion is almost
entirely forest clad, but on the central south and south-western,
side there is an extensive area of flat grass-clad savannah land
elevated from 300 ft. upwards above sea-level.

The Parliament of British Guiana recently passed a vote of
about £12,000 to be used in making a cattle track from the
savannahs, in the hinterland, or interior of the colony, to the
coast line. The distance is something like 120 miles, and much
of it is through dense bush.

A Mr. Ogilvie, who is a rancher in the hinterland, is enthu-
siastic as to the possibilities of cattle-raising on the savannahs

211

212 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

there, and reckons that, given facilities for transporting cattle |
to the coast, the colony, ere long, could rely on shipping very
many head. He states that ‘the savannahs are capable —
of supporting large herds of cattle. There are other warm
supporters of the opening up of the hinterland, prominent
stock-owners who have strong views as to the great possibili-
ties in this direction. At present the only way of disposing of
stock is by driving the cattle down, to Manaos on the Amatomg
and taking what one can get in the market there. Bi

Georgetown, the capital, when I last visited it, was an ideal
tropical town. It is situated on the Demerara River, a stream
with a very rapid current.

ECUADOR

THE area of the country is 116,000 square miles. Estimated
population, 14 millions.

Concerted attempts are being made by influential land-
owners to raise the stock-breeding and cattle-raising industry
_ to a position of importance, and to enter into the meat export
trade. To this end Agricultural Expositions are now held
annually at Quito under the auspices of a number of large plan-
tation owners, with the object of fostering the agricultural
industries generally. Some of the high valleys and tablelands
of Ecuador are particularly adapted to the raising of stock,
and a good quality of hides and beef is yearly being produced
in the Republic in increasing quantities.

213

COLOMBIA

THE Republic of Colombia, 440,000 square miles in extent
and with a population of 5,000,000, occupies an advantageous —
geographical and commercial position ; its coast is divided
by the Isthmus of Panama, facing both upon the Atlantic —
(Caribbean) and Pacific Oceans, with about 1000 miles of coast-_
line to each ocean. It is generally predicted that, as the Carib-—
bean becomes more of a highway, due to the opening of the —
Panama Canal, the commercial importance of Colombia will y
increase.

Two-fifths of the area of the country are taken up by very
broken mountainous territory, the Andes and its outliers,
where means of transport are difficult.

The pastoral industries are of great importance in Colombia,
and might be very much extended.

The cattle industry is probably Colombia’s most important
agricultural pursuit to-day, and the Republic offers a promis-
ing source of supply for the future, as its cheap lands and cheap
labour are prominent factors which are bound to stimulate the
industry. Until very recently the country exported annually
large numbers of cattle to Cuba and Panama, and this foreign
trade, together with an increasing local consumption, so re-

that the country’s own needs might be met.

All the northern coastal region is eminently suited for cattle-
raising, more so than any other part of the country ; the low
Jands are covered with grass all the year round, and the higher
lands are also green for most of the year, with the exceptior
of January, February, and March, which are the driest months
of the season. The pastures are of Para or Guinea grasses,
and the lands used for grazing are said to last for ma year

214

COLOMBIA 215

with an occasional cleaning, and a burning and a rest during
the rainy season.

As to the methods practised in, the industry at the present
time, it may be said that practically no care is given to the
animals, one man, taking care of a very large herd ; cows drop
their calves in the open; salt is given to the animals infre-
quently, not more than once a month, and diseases prevail
among them to some extent.

The cattle now produced are not large, averaging only 700
or 800 lbs. live weight, but the breed could be much improved
by imported blood. It takes five or six years for an, animal to
reach maturity, the percentage of calves that live is high, and
if the dry season is not too long continued there is plenty of
water to maintain them properly. Good grazing lands can, be
obtained from 4/— to £5 per acre, the price depending on the
size of the tract bought, and its nearness to the coast and a
navigable river.

The Republic is developing its meat export trade. Contracts
have been made for the supply of at least 40,000 head from that
country during the current year. Agents from the United
States are much in evidence at the present time. One packing
house at least is said to be considering the feasibility of erecting
a canning plant, possibly at Barranquilla, which forms a con-
venient port for such a purpose, and the Government has
offered a subsidy of £10,000 to the first packing house estab-
lished either on the Pacific or Atlantic side, the packing house
to have a capacity of 50,000 head of cattle per year. There are
about 2,400,000 cattle in the country. According to the latest
estimate, Colombia should be able to export at least 80,000
head of cattle during the year.

The few small consignments of beef that have come to the
English market from the South American Republic of Colombia
have, of course, been a stray supply attracted by the un-
failing magnet of high prices. It would seem, however, that
there are other calls on this supply than the distant European
market, as for some time the supply department of the Panama
Canal has been, bringing cattle from Colombia to aid in meeting
the demand for fresh beef in the commissary stores in the Canal
Zone. More than 1000 cattle a month have been slaughtered

216 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

at Cristobal, Canal Zone, and this will extend, as the meat is
said to be cheaper than that brought in cold storage from New
York, from which port the supply department was receiving
about 100,000 Ibs. a month. Freight shortage has made this
supply difficult. Meanwhile land has been cleared in the Canal
Zone for pasturing imported cattle not in fit condition to be
slaughtered for beef ; it comprises some 10,000 acres near the
Atlantic end of the isthmus, 1500 acres at Empire, 3000 acres
at Culebra, and 2300 acres at Corozal, where a. Government
farm is maintained.

Lorp RorHscHILp’s HAMPSHIRE Down Srx Montus RAMs
* ’
Trinc, ENGLAND

en

HONDURAS

‘Honpuras has an average of 46,250 square miles, and is
situated north of the Isthmus of Panama. On the north of it
is the Caribbean Sea, on the south Nicaragua, and on the west
Guatemala and San Salvador. The fifteenth degree of north
latitude runs through it. There are about half a million head
of cattle in the country.

The Government is endeavouring to encourage stock-raising
by disseminating information regarding improved methods.
Stockmen from the United States are carefully inquiring about
and investigating the cattle resources of the country. Ship-
ments of live cattle are commencing from the port of Ceiba on
the North Coast, and a refrigerating plant is about to be in-
stalled near Puerto Cortes. Improved stock are being intro-
duced, and an export of 50,000 head annually is looked for in
the near future. Most of the cattle at the present time are
found in the departments of Choluteca and Olancho, on the
southern and south-eastern side of the country. The entire
country is comprised of mountains and valleys. Honduras,
being within the area of the north-east trade winds, has an
equable and agreeable climate, particularly in the higher lands
of the interior. The temperature ranges from a minimum of
42 deg. on the highlands to 97 deg. on the coast. Streams of
clear pure water abound almost everywhere during the rainy
season. During the dry season, the open ranges being much
overstocked, the cattle get into a very poor condition, but with
good management this can be easily remedied.

In nearly every part of Honduras there is land suited to the
raising of live-stock in a limited way. There are two depart-
ments, however—Olancho and Choluteca—where three-fourths
of the cattle of the country are raised.

Ticks are prevalent, and the introduction of dips and dipping

217

218 THE WORLD’S MEAT - FUTURE

is badly needed. On the coast lands and in the interior well-
watered valleys, or where irrigation is practicable, permanent
fenced pastures are the rule. These are planted with Para, and
Guinea grass, which make plentiful and succulent forage.

The average rainfall of the whole country annually is about
48 inches.

The cattle of the country are descended from importations

HaAtr-BLoop Honpuras SHORTHORN BuLL, SHOWING MARKED IMPROVEMENT
OvER NATIVE TyPE

from Spain soon after the conquest. These naturally have
much degenerated, the native stock being smal]; though
fleshed and slow to reach maturity, they generally kill at about
400 Ibs. weight.

So far little has been done to improve them, but the-advent
of men from the United States, as I said before, is making itself
felt. Cuba, which possesses itself no less than 4,000,000 head
of cattle, used to get a lot of cattle from Honduras, but that
island is now fully stocked up. The worst disease in Honduras

foe:

HONDURAS 219

is the tick; tuberculosis and foot-and-mouth disease are
unknown. Honduras has, in addition to an outlet to the
Atlantic, an outlet to the Pacific. The best way to improve
the stock would be to import good sires, immune from tick
fever, from the southern portion of the United States, and to
construct dips everywhere. This country as a meat producer
should have a future.

Lorp RorHscHILD’s HAMPSHIRE Down Ewes, Trinc, ENGLAND

/

BOLIVIA

Bo.ivia is the third largest Republic in South America ; it
has no seaboard, and its goods are shipped to Pacific ports in
Chile and Peru. It has an area of 708,295 square miles, and a
population of two and a half million. It is bounded on the
west by the Andes, and on the east by Brazil. Itis mountainous
country, but generally becomes flatter towards Brazil. The
hills and particularly the valleys grow very rich grasses on the
east side, but on the west the soil suffers from low rainfall ;
however, wherever irrigation is introduced, it grows excellent
feed. In the future Bolivia should be a big cattle-raising —
country ; diseases are said to be almost extinct, and the
climate is good.

The Republics of Guatemala and Nicaragua in Central
America have also excellent pastures for cattle-raising.

220

PERU

Tue Republic occupies a long stretch of territory upon the
surf-beaten Pacific Coast of South America, extending from
near the Equator to latitude nearly 20 deg. south, and thence
across the vast mountain range of the Andes to the Amazon
Valley. The sea frontage is 1400 miles in length, and the area
of the country is variously estimated between 440,000 and
680,000 square miles, portions being in dispute with its neigh-
bours Chile, Ecuador, and Colombia. There have also been
boundary questions with Bolivia and Brazil upon its eastern
side. It has a population of 4,500,000.

Cattle and sheep are plentiful, but a lot will have to be done
in the way of improving their quality before this country can
be taken into account. There is not much prospect for cattle-
rearing at present, it is more of a mining country, but there
are vast areas of rich grazing lands upon which the famous
Alpaca flocks are run, and the land is easily irrigated.

Apart from the more spectacular mining industry, it is in-
teresting to note that the plateau and the limestone flanks of
the high inland Andes of Peru are grazed by thousands of
llamas as well as by scattered flocks of native sheep, for which
the short turf that grows from 11,000 ft. up to the snow line is
admirably adapted. An interesting and successful experiment
has been carried out by Messrs. Duncan, Fox & Co., who ten
years ago imported 6000 well-bred sheep from the Straits of
Magellan to form the nucleus of an Andean sheep-breeding
industry on modern lines. The flocks have now increased to
over 40,000 under the care of Scotch shepherds brought from
the Orkneys, the whole undertaking reflecting great credit on
Anglo-Saxon American pastoral enterprise. We have the
analogy of Patagonia to prove that wherever the guanaco runs
—to which the llama and vicuna are first cousins—it is a sign
of good “sheep country,’ and the logical inference is that

221

999 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

ee

2000 miles of the Andean Cordillera, in Ecuador, Peru, and
Bolivia, offer for sheep-breeding a region greater in area, even
if somewhat inferior in grazing qualities, than that of all
Patagonia.

OTHER LATIN-AMERICAN COUNTRIES

Other cattle-raising countries of Latin-America are Costa
Rica, with 347,485 head of cattle (in 1915); Guatemala, with
655,386 head, equal to 13°57 head per square mile ; Nicaragua,
with some 500,000 head of cattle (in 1915); Salvador, with
284.000 head (estimated in 1915), and an excellent future
were the industry to be well organized and the export trade
supported by adequate shipping.

feast > Be
ve
A

ae
cs ae
Ce

Pe!
c+ eS

eS
aN. Tat

GROUP OF 2-YEAR-OLD HEIFERS AND Cows AT THE Royal Farm,
Winpsor, ENGLAND

RHODESIA

Tuis vast territory, larger than France, Germany and Holland,
is 450,000 square miles in extent, mostly at an altitude of from
3000 to 5000 ft. It contains 90,000,000 acres of good cattle
land with excellent natural pasturage, and stock thrive to an
exceptional degree in almost every part. No country in the
world has better grasses for ensilage-making than, Rhodesia.
Acres and acres of native grasses can, be seen in February and
March (towards end of the rainy season) 4 or 5 ft. high, which
would give four tons of hay per acre if left till April (commence-
ment of dry season), and would make the best of ensilage ere
it got too rank ; with no cost nor care of laying the field down in
grass nor topdressing and locking same up, no fencing nor re-
grassing at any time. Though the general herds of cattle keep
up their condition wonderfully through the dry season (the
winter months), though they seldom see anything green, just
dry grass with plenty of water, yet the aged cows, the cows
with young calves, and all weakly stock, would benefit by the
ensilage, to say nothing of topping off forward store oxen in
the time of year when there is keenest demand. With plenty
of ensilage on hand, the trek oxen could be worked much longer
hours. Cattle are largely on the increase, and diseases of all
kinds, which are naturally prevalent where there are big num-
bers of wild animals, are getting rapidly under control. A
great point in favour of Rhodesia is that at present it is not
cursed with that bane of many countries, the professional poli-
tician, and the longer it can be thus free, the more rapid should
be its progress.

During the year 1917, 13,221 head of slaughter cattle were
sent to the Union of South Africa, and arrangements were
made for the extension of this trade to the entire territory in

223

224 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

place of a portion of Matabeleland only. Progress has also
been made in the preliminaries for the proposed canning
factory, which it is hoped will afford a market for a class
of stock not suitable for the fresh meat trade. Consignments
of frozen beef from Rhodesia have been sent to England, and
have elicited most encouraging reports from Smithfield.

The need of purebred stock to improve the native and grade
cattle continues to be one of the most pressing wants, and re-
quirements are still very far from being met in this direction.

The namber cf dipping tanks is now close upon 1000, and
there is every probability of many more being erected in the
immediate futare. The Compulsory Dipping Ordinance,
although its amendment has been freely discussed and is pro-

jected, has been widely adopted, till at the close of 1917 it was.

actually applied to 78 per cent of the farms in the country, and
wes in course of adoption over a further 20 per cent.

As an instance of how the introduction of good sires to the
native herds of a country improves their condition, a few years
ago in Southern Rhodesia it was almost impossible to find a
native bullock weighing over 550 Ibs. dressed weight, at five
or six years old. Now, however, it is quite common to find
three-year-old steers by a good bull, out of native cows, killing
at 700 lbs. Halfbreds haye enormously increased in number
and bulls continue to arrive by every steamer from the home
land. Probably there is no country in the world which at
present presents such a good field for the increase and improve-
ment of cattle. It would be a good plan at once to cross the
native stock with carefully selected Africander bulls, and get
size and hardness into the herds, then cross the improved stock
with the progeny of imported purebred stock, and be careful
in choosing these sires. A friend who is ranching there now
says: “I consider there is no country in the world to-day that
offers such good prospects for the ranching companies who are
prepared to develop the land as Rhodesia. For the small man

who can take up 3000 to 10,000 acres, his capital should be —

invested in stock and windmills. Fencing can always be
erected later. . . . Do not put useless native boys on herding
stock ; employ the best boy you have on the farm. Teach him
his duties, and do not Jet him keep the cattle-in a bunch, as

.-

nie gigs WR noe Rey

RHODESIA 225

one so often sees. Do not kraal at night if you can possibly
help it. I am afraid that on a great many farms cattle are
driven miles to water and good grazing, only to be brought
back over the same long tramp at night to be shut up until the
following morning. Remember, cattle do not stray naturally,
but only in search of food. Let your calves run with their
mothers. Take care that your stock are not roughly handled ;
remember that beef cattle never want to lose an ounce of flesh
from the day they are born.

*‘ Water is a very important question all over Africa, where
stock suffer a great deal through want of it. If you have not
a running stream all the year round on your farm, erect wind-
mills wherever possible. They will soon repay the outlay.

“ If you water your stock from dams or pools, fence them off,
and erect a pump and troughs, so that your stock always have
clean water to drink. Remember that stock should never have
far to go for water ; it is wonderful how stock will pull through
a bad winter if they have a plentiful supply of water.

“In a country like Rhodesia, subject to a long, dry winter,
the use of succulent winter feed for stock is very necessary to
keep the animals in condition and maintain growth, especially
so in the case of beef steers. Maize silage is one of the cheapest
and most valuable forms of stock food. Every farmer and
rancher should always have a good supply in hand in case of
a drought or a bad season. Also remember that once the beef
trade is established, the most profitable method of disposing
of your grain will be to send it to the market on four legs.”

Before rinderpest decimated the cattle in 1896 and 1897 in-
numerable herds browsed on the well-grassed lands of Rho-
desia, which also swarmed with game. These cattle were
chiefly owned by the natives, who largely estimated their
wealth and social status by the head of stock they possessed.
Then came the appalling catastrophe of the rinderpest in-
vasion, followed by East Coast fever, and the land was left
desolate. The restocking of the country was largely from the
north, and cattle were brought from as far as German, East
Africa. Angoni cattle, which are a humped breed, were largely
introduced. Common native bulls were, of course, used at
first ; but as the white man began to pay some attention to

Q

226 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

cattle breeding, Africander, Polled Angus, Shorthorn, Fries-
land, Devon, Sussex, and Hereford bulls were brought in with
more or less success.

Encouraging results have attended the efforts of those in-
terested in sheep-raising in Rhodesia. Where the soil and pas-
ture is suitable, the Merino breed is being bred and reared most
successfully. Exhaustive trials have been conducted, and it may
now be confidently asserted that so long as high-class sheep
are used, the future of the sheep-raising industry is safe. Sheep °
are proving more profitable than other classes of stock, on
account of the excellent prices which can be made for the wool.

The Liebig ranch is on the Mazunga, the home station being
between thirty and forty miles from Messina drift on the
Limpopo, and some 180 miles from Buluwayo.

There are 28,000 head on the Liebig ranch, and the selected
mobs of cows have the service of a fine number of pure-bred
bulls, Polled Angus and Sussex, these bulls being kept at their
home stations to save them from walking the veld with the
herds. The increase is given at 70 per cent, which is regarded
as most satisfactory ; and as the grazing capacity is placed
at twenty acres per beast, the carrying capacity of the ranch
is 50,000. As this number would soon be reached, it is obvious
that a large percentage must move off each year.

The Mazunga Ranch pins its faith to Polled Angus and
Sussex, and makes quicker use of the pure breeds, and more
use of Colonial cows to speed up the grade. The custom is to
put an imported bull, when acclimatised, to sixty cows, while
an Afrikander will serve thirty ; but the imported bull will be
fed at the stables, and the food will consist of greenstuff, bran,
and oil-cake from the Salisbury monkey-nut oil factoum
together with one of the ‘‘ Oxo ” by-products.

A system of paddocking is in vogue at Mazunga, which fences —
off paddocks of 4000 acres to accommodate 600 head ; but the —
cost of wire has arrested the construction. As one fenced-in —
paddock is eaten down, the cattle would be moved on to the 3
next, giving the first time to recover. ;

The purebred stock are sprayed and not dipped, ae every | ‘
evening are examined for tick and rubbed with tick grease ts :
there are signs of the pest.

RHODESIA 227

Nearly all, if not all, disease is insect borne, and it is now
realised that to preserve the cattle from inroads of disease, dips
must be constructed and used frequently. Undoubtedly, the
crossbred, or pure, cattle will be more subject to local maladies
than are the native female parent stock. But in Argentina,
Queensland, and the Southern States of the Union this diffi-
culty has been largely overcome by careful dipping. Most of
the cattle-breeding districts of Southern Rhodesia are at an
elevation of from 3000 ft. to 4000 ft., which gives them an
advantage over similar lands in other countries situated in the
same latitude.

Cattle cannot yet be run in large mobs. Usually, mobs of
200 to 300 are found to be as large as the herdsman can manage,
especially as the herding is done on foot. Horse sickness is
very prevalent in Rhodesia, and although a prophylactic serum
has been discovered for the inoculation, of mules, and is success-
ful, the perfected serum for horses has yet to be produced.

The experienced cattle breeder from Argentina, Australia,
or the United States must preserve a very open mind if he is
to be successful in Rhodesia. All local methods of cattle
breeding are not necessarily wrong in principle, because they
appear patriarchal and antique, according to our notions, and
the new environment will modify many preconceived ideas.
The experience of other lands and ways of working is of in-
estimable value, and slowly many modifications and changes
of present methods can be introduced.’ Any too abrupt change
is not likely to work for good. The Kaffirs, who have 10 be
employed as cattle men, understand their own, ways of working,
and their habits do not lend themselves to sudden changes.
The pioneer breeder of improved stock will probably confine
himself at first to such elementary changes in native methods
as the separation of heifers and young steers from the parent
stock, weaning them as late as possible ; the age marking of
each crop of calves by ear mark, and changing this annually ;
separation and final culling and fattening for sale of the abort-
ing cow or heifer ; the early castration of male calves ; dipping
for the destruction of parasites ; letting the cattle run at night
where possible, or in the event of this being impossible owing
to the shortage of cattle herds, or owing to the presence of too

228 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

numerous predatory animals, making the night corrals large,
and changing them frequently. The conservation of fodder in
hay or ensilage must be taken in hand. The curtailing of the
periods of bull service must be done with very great judgment,
as these native cows are accustomed to run with the bu!l, and
are not accustomed to taking service at prearranged restricted
periods. Any abrupt retiring of the bulls for more than a
month would, for many years, result in a much diminished
crop of calves at branding time. At first breeders must be
content to avoid only the dropping of calves at the commence-
ment of the rainy season. For many years any cow, no matter
what her class, which breeds a calf will be retained in the herd
until the country be stocked up.

Probably the most interesting and most important develop-
ment of cattle breeding in Southern Rhodesia has been the
acquisition of large tracts of land there by the Lemco and Oxo
Company, commonly known as the Liebig’s Extract of Meat
Company. As a firm of scientific cattle breeders, owning
enormous tracts of landed property in Argentina, Uruguay,
Paraguay, and South-West Africa, with countless herds of cattle
the company has vast stores of successful experience to draw
upon, and its presence in Rhodesia is a valuable asset to the —
country.

“The question is frequently asked,” says a recent writer,
‘“* Which is the best country in which a young man with a
small capital can make a start at cattle breeding ?’ With some
experience of other lands, I think I can safely give a verdict in
favour of Southern Rhodesia. Cheap land can still be obtained
to the south of the Zambezi, and if young men will only keep —
clear of the towns, where the cost of living is ruinously expen-
sive, good use can be made of a small capital. Previous ex-_
perience in other countries is desirable, but not essential. No
man, however, should invest his capital in land or stock with-
out at least two years’ experience in the country. The native
languages—Matabele and Mashona—should be learned. Under
the intelligent direction of the Director of Land Settlement,
Government farms have been established to which the aspiring
‘ Estanciero ’ can go to learn his work. I met some young
men who had enlisted in the Rhodesian Police, and there

a

=~

RHODESIA : 229

gained much knowledge of the country. Particulars of these
appointments and of the farms can be obtained from the British
South Africa Company in London. In my judgment, the
smallest amount of capital with which a successful start can
be made is £1500, and the expenditure of this should be spread
over several years. Very good judgment will have to be exer-
cised if only this small amount of capital is available. In
Rhodesia, as elsewhere, success depends much more on the
man, himself than on any cash disbursement.”

An “ old North Queenslander ” writes me : “* It may interest
you to hear of Rhodesia from the pastoral point of view. Cattle
raising is quite in its infancy here yet. The possibilities are
undoubtedly great ; so possibly, in the near future, Australians
will be attracted to Rhodesia if they wish to extend their
operations to other countries. The company I represent is the
Rhodesian Cattle and Land Company Limited (registered in
England). We have acquired in Northern Rhodesia 100,000
acres of freehold land in one block on the south bank of the
Kafue River, about 100 miles up from the railway bridge.
This railway is the main line from Cape to Cairo. This
Northern Rhodesia ranch (Lochinvar) is only lightly stocked
yet,-the first mob arriving here in April, 1911. We have
4000 head now, but the ranch is capable of carrying 20,000
head. This year’s calves number 400, and we expect to brand
well over 1000 next year. We are breeding from Hereford
bulls imported from England and native cows, mostly Barotse.

“The first grade is a better result than, I expected, end I
hope that in a very few years the herd will be one to be proud of.
The country is particularly good. This you may judge from
my estimate of the carrying capacity of the ranch, 20,000 head
of cattle on 100,000 acres. There is a large area of this ranch
which is inundated each year by the overflow from the Kafue
River, and it remains flooded for two or three months. After
the flood waters have gone, the grazing on this area is wonder-
fully good, the grass remaining very green until the following
rainy season. The grass that grows on these flats is particu-
larly sweet, almost as sweet as sugar-cane, and cattle, pigs,
horses and mules all relish it thoroughly and keep fat all the
time they are grazing on it. During the wet season, when, this

230 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

partis unavailable, we have all the stock on the high sand ridges,
where Guinea grass grows luxuriantly and the stock do splen-
didly. We have a fair amount of both classes of country about
equally divided in this one block of land.

“ Owing to the presence of large herds of game it is impos-
sible to fence in large areas, the game being so destructive. ~
Lions chase the game about at night, and a herd of several
hundreds of zebra or large buck will charge into the fences. No
fence can stop them. Under the circumstances we are com-
pelled to herd the cattle by day ; at night they are yarded into —
barbed-wire yards. .This necessitates a rather bigger staff than
that on an Australian station. The herdsmen are natives,
three or four to each mob of 500 or 600 head of cattle. It would
amuse an Australian pastoralist to see a mob of 600 cattle
handled by three men on foot. From this you will see that the
cattle are particularly quiet.

“The market for Northern Rhodesia is the Congo, where it
is fully expected very big developments will take place in the
near future. There are enormous copper deposits in that terri-
tory. At present, Congo buyers pay 35/- to 40/— per 100 Ibs.
dead weight for slaughter stock, the buyer paying railage.
The cattle are taken away by rail alive, and the dead weight is
estimated before they leave Rhodesia. This price is likely to
be maintained (if not improved upon) for some years to come.
The presence of tsetse fly in the Congo prevents stock from
being bred there in a big way.

‘* Liebig’s Company has lately secured a large area of land in
South Rhodesia, and I hear on very good authority that that
company purpose erecting a big factory there within two or
three years. I understand that this company is particularly
pleased with the land it has secured and with the appearance
of the stock.

‘““My company has also a ranch of 150,000 acres of freehold
land in South Rhodesia. This has only lately been purchased,
and not much has yet been done there in the way of stocking it.

“T am very disappointed that up to the present I have not
been permitted to import Hereford bulls from Australia. The
Rhodesian Government have not yet decided to permit this,
the matter being still under consideration. My contention i

RHODESIA 231

that, as the climate of Rhodesia is almost identically the same
as Queensland, stock from Queensland (or any part of Australia)
would require less acclimatising than stock from England. I
also contend that equally as good blood could be introduced
from Australia, and at a lesser cost. Stock in Australia are not
so ‘forced,’ and are, therefore, more hardy and more suitable
for the veldt in this country.

“From an, agricultural point of view, the possibilities here
are also good. I have known from fifteen to twenty bags of
mealies to be the return per acre from various farms on the
Katue ; ten bags, however, is more general—200 lbs. to the
bag. Many parts of the Kafue should grow excellent sugar-
cane, the soil being particularly rich. Thousands of acres
could be irrigated by lifting water from Kafue River 15 ft., and
fed from one main furrow. Thousands of acres could be
ploughed without any expense in the way of ciearing. Not a
stump, or a tree, or a stone to be moved. Many parts closely
resemble the best lands on the lower Burdekin country in North
Queensland, where sugar-cane grows so wonderfully well.”

Mr. Richard Walsh, the British South Africa Company’s
expert in ranching, gave some interesting information when
interviewed in London recenily. Mr. Walsh selected the big
areas, between 3 and 4 million acres, in Rhodesia, which the
company is now devoting to cattle ranching. The million-acre
ranch known as Bnodesdale, now in a fairly advanced con-
dition, is partly in Mashonaland and partly in Matabeleland,
and the railway runs through it. A bigger scheme, but one
much less advanced, is represented in the Nuenetsi territory
of three million acres, lying to the south of Victoria. There is
also a ranch of 100,000 acres about 60 miles south of Victoria.

Mr. Walsh said :—

“During the past two years we have got together 35,000
cattle, of which 22,000 are on the Rhodesdale ranch, and the
balance on the other two. So far, we are simply building up
the herds, and we are only disposing of the old cattle. Beyond
that, we expect to put practically nothing on the market for
three years. At present, we are going on the theory of twenty
acres per animal. That is the proportion we are thinking of
before starting to export.

232 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

BUILDING UP THE HERDS

“The foundation of the herds is native cattle, with the ex-
ception of 2500 better bred colonial cows from the Cape. At
present we are using a number of Afrikander bulls, in addition
to some Shorthorns, Herefords, Polled Angus, and North
Devons. These I consider as the breeds that will probably do
best in Rhodesia. I have every confidence in the country as a
great cattle country. It is notorious that the herds of Loben-
gula’s days were a good deal better than the present-day cattle
in Rhodesia, more particularly in size. They had been bred
with some care, and it is evident that Lobengula and his head-
men had the instinct of stock breeders. They also had, from
long experience, an expert knowledge of the best grazing
localities.

“Mainly the rinderpest and other diseases threw the cattle
back ; but we need not fear that sort of thing now, as we have
a very efficient veterinary department, and cattle are rendered
immune by inoculation. From my experience in other coun-
tries, I consider Rhodesia a very healthy cattle country. It
certainly has no more disease than any other country, and with
our veterinary department and the practice of general dipping,
all these will be eradicated.

“The grasses in Rhodesia have better fattening properties
than in any other ranching country I know. Very little extra
feeding is necessary in the dry months—just enough to help
one to take care of the weak cattle. I know of no other country
in which cattle carry their condition as they do in Rhodesia
through what may be regarded as the ‘ bad months ’ from the
stock-farmers’ standpoint.

ComInc BreEer Exports

‘“ Our aim for the next few years is to produce a better type —

of beef animal in much larger numbers before establishing our
export trade. While we are building up our herds in this way,
there will be a growing surplus of cattle not required for the
purpose. The great present want of Rhodesia is a canning
factory, and I am glad to say there is every prospect of one

~F
+h

RHODESIA 233

being established at once. That will enable us to deal with
meat other than the big export which we are arranging for
later—when the meat will be sent to Europe either chilled or
frozen. Apart from what the chartered company is doing,
several big ranching companies have been, started, or ate being
started, in Rhodesia. As their aim also is the exportation of
meat, the country should take a big place in the meat market
at an opportune time.”

There are 3,961,600 acres of valuable grazing land in the
Hartley district. In that 6000 odd square miles, the variety of
soils is such as to ensure every possible requirement for cattle-
raising or for ranching. Heavy black humus-filled land or rich
red loams alternate frequently with stretches of sand veld. If
there be those disposed to despise the granite soil, let it be
known, that among the biggest ranchers there are men who
will have no sort of a farm that does not include a proportion
of this sand veld in its grazing.

There are eight large rivers and their tributaries meandering
through this territory, and when it is mentioned that lime is
prevalent along these streams, it can be well understood that
Hartley cattle have most of the conditions favourable for
heavy frame forming.

Before the rinderpest swept across Affica and well-nigh
exterminated the game, Hartley was one of the most heavily
stocked grazing grounds of the country. Rhodesia then was
like a game reserve in the extent of the herds of bovines it
fostered. The remnants of the big buck of these herds had
begun to re-establish their depleted numbers at the time the
suspicion began, to fall upon the larger game as carriers of the
tsetse fly. Consequently, since a known “ fly ” area came to
be defined, and was thrown open for promiscuous shooting of
even Royal game, the kudu, sable, eland, waterbuck and others
of the antelopes, with the elephant, rhino and hippopotamus,
have been harried almost to extinction once more, and the
parallel shrinking of that tsetse belt is well recognised. It is
probable that that area is responsible—though it is a fraction
of the total extent of the district—for a widespread belief that
Hartley is unhealthy for stock. There is one large ranch in
the midst of the “ fly ” belt; and one farmer, at least, who

234 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

claimed an abatement of the purchase price of his farm because
he learned that his land was within the confines of the sus-
picious ground, has now discarded his donkeys and has taken
pretty extensively to cattle. The B.S.A. Co. have selected a
ranch of approximately a million acres which lies largely in
Hartley, and it is being rapidly stocked with valuable cattle ;
and, furthermore, Hartley’s live-stock figures stand first for
Mashonaland in numbers, and only Gwelo in Matabeleland
surpasses it for the whole of the Rhodesia districts.

The last stock census showed 33,002 cattle in the district.
This is at the rate of 120 acres per head, so it will be seen that
there is vast room for extension. Though at present there are
more farms returning statistics than in any other district, there
is much land still for sale. Though some of the best of the
pedigree bulls have been imported that have come from Hartley
farms, the great bulk of herds, so far, like those of all Rhodesia,
are not far removed from the native stock, having very largely,
originally, been purchased or traded from the kaffir reserves
around. That source of origin accounts for the hardiness in
herds that earned the district its true reputation for cattle
health.

Hartley, with much of South Africa, has been suffering
keenly during the past few years from uncertain rainfall,
and a depression of a like period in cattle prices has struck
it hard as well.

During these lean years the stock has been multiplying in a
steady increase, though their cash value as individuals sank at
times far below their purchase price. Under that steady fall
there has been little inducement even to disperse a herd that
gave little promise of interest on its capital value, for “a
pound a leg”? has been a very common bid at auctions. A
holding-on policy has, therefore, been the rule, and now the
reward seems in sight, and the larger profits will now be the
more easily secured because of the hard experience gained in
carrying on through the seasons of narrow margins. The

almost vanishing prices being paid for grain, as against the-

steadfast price of butcher-meat has done much to press home
the desirability of selling crops on the hoof. Outbreaks of
East Coast fever occurring urged the compulsory dipping that

4

RHODESIA 235

is now in vogue, and that compulsory clause enforced the
_ building of the requisite tanks. Seeing the night herding,
especially of working oxen, that other districts have to resort
to, impressed the excellence of the Hartley pasturing, that ren-
ders that expedient unnecessary, but the benefits of the free
night grazing are so well recognised that wherever possible
fenced paddocks have ousted the primitive kraaling methods.
The number of miles of fencing will immediately be extended
SO soon, as wire is again reasonably procurable.

Southern Rhodesia offers the farmer three varieties of
climate and country, says a recent writer :—

“ (a) The high grazing veld of Matabeleland, with an alti-
tude of 4000 feet; (6) the higher altitude of northern and
middle Mashonaland, with a greater rainfall and favoured con-
ditions for the culture of mealies, tobacco and oranges ; and
(c) the low-lying country skirting the Limpopo, which is also
suited to cattle. There are ranches in Mashonaland on the
granite lands which are too poor for mealies, but the cattle are
found chiefly on the Matabele side where the grass is shorter,
and, it is said, sweeter. The Zulus, like most natives, were
good judges of cattle country, and when Moselikatze went
north, he picked his site on land where now are most of the
white cattlemen, and his herds grazed west to where the big
Rhodesdale ranch is situated, and south to where the other
big ranch, owned by Liebig’s, is located between the Limpopo
and the Matoppos.

“ Formerly, business men in Bulawayo talked ‘ gold’; now
they talk ‘beef’; and in the clubs most heated arguments
rage between the Hereford men and the Polled Angus followers,
while Shorthorn, North Devon, and Sussex admirers have a
say. As a matter of fact, no breed has yet been proved, and the
ranchmen are at present finding out not what breed is best
for the whole country, but what breed or breeds do best under
the varying conditions in various districts. The B.S.A. ranch-
men have, for example, satisfied themselves that Shorthorns
do better on the southern ranch below Victoria than they do
at Rhodesdale, while Liebig’s are inclined to think that the
Polled Angus and Sussex are the best choice. They are trying
out the breeds, and as they swap experiences, they will in time

236 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

select their fancies and stick to them ; but it seems clear that
the recognised beef strain will differ in one district from the
other, which means that most breeders of pure-bred bulls may
expect a market in Rhodesia. Last year over a thousand head
of heifers and bulls were imported, chiefly from the Union, and
each year the big ranches are on the lookout for bulls. In
September last Mr. Fleming (manager of the Rhodesdale
ranch) was in Bulawayo district looking for 150 young bulls,
and he purchased fifty from one breeder. As he told me, he
was pleased to find that the small breeder had become alive to
the necessities of the big ranches, and had been concentrating
on the breeding of pure-bred beef strain with excellent results.

‘In time the big ranches will create their own bull-breeding
herds, but this will not be for another five years or so, and even
then the smaller ranchmen will be in the market for sires.
They run, on the average, one bull to thirty cows, and as a
small ranch would carry 7000 cows, each such ranch would
require 230 bulls.

“The Chartered Company’s two ranches at Rhodesdale and
Victoria cover together about 70,000 head ; Liebig’s carries —
28,000 head ; and the ranches run by De Beers, the Anglo-
French, and the Central Estates are coming on. In addition
to these there are numerous small ranches which carry from —
300 head up to 7000 and are rapidly growing. All these ranches —
are breeding beef, and to breed beef they must have pure-bred
bulls of the beef strain, together with heifers, and this demand
creates, as I have said, a market worth studying. It may be
noted that they have nothing to do with Friesland, Jersey,
Ayrshire, and other dairy breeds ; and it may also be men; —
tioned, to avoid trouble, that many of the cattlemen in
Rhodesia know more about the beef breeds than most —
breeders in South Africa, and that they will not take inferior
animals.” 4

Naturally a big ranch costs money in the creation. The
Chartered Company recently spent some £20,000 on native
cattle, representing a fraction of the outlay, and Liebig’s have —
probably spent well over £100,000 in live-stock. Expert know-
ledge is required to protect such large interests, and the B.S.A._
Company secured the services of two experienced cattlemen

RHODESIA 237

from the United States, in the persons of Mr. R. Walsh and Mr.
H. Fleming. Be it understood these are not cowboys, but
gentlemen of education, who‘have made it their business in life
to study cattle and their management, beef production, and
the marketing thereof. Mr. Walsh directed a big ranch in
America, and Mr. Fleming had twenty-one years’ experience
learning the business, as he puts it, “‘all sides up.” It has been
asked in Rhodesia why South Africans were not engaged, and
the answer is that ranching was not known in that country,
and that the huge undertaking necessary would have seemed
beyond the range of men accustomed to handle cattle in small
numbers. The United States is the biggest cattle country in
the world, and its ranchmen have “thought in thousands,”
and handled the conditions which threaten to overwhelm the
manager who is not used to cattle by tens of thousands. There
is a boldness in the design of a large ranch that must rather
dismay the cautious man, and Mr. Fleming relates that when
he went on the market once to buy 150 bulls at one swoop the
eyes of an old-timer nearly popped out as he cried: “ One
hundred and fifty! My word, I thought I was going strong
when I bought three at a go!” South African breeders know
cattle fore and aft, top and bottom, but they did not have the
experience of ranchmen, and accordingly the Chartered Com-
pany sent to the United States for two cattlemen of proved
knowledge, capacity and tact. The two stepped into their
places quietly, carved out one million acres from the unoccu-
pied land, divided this enormous area into seven, blocks, and
set about building up a beef strain, on the bedrock of the small
but hardy native stock ; and they have gone their way un-
obtrusively, working out their ideas without forcing their
opinions on others. Liebig’s Ranch followed the same large
lines of development, but not the same policy of breeding.

It will be seen by the foregoing that the possibilities of
Rhodesia as a beef-producing country are enormous, and fair
supplies of excellent beef can be looked for in the immediate
future. To the west there is another very excellent fertile
country in Bechuanaland, containing 225,000 square miles of
ideal cattle country. However, the cattle at present are of the
_ native type, and very little has been done in improvements so

238 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

far; but once the war is over there is little doubt that in time
that country will be exploited and its herds improved.

The Rhodesia Meat Packing Company, Limited, has been
formed, with a capital of £100,000, to acquire a piece of land
situated at Odzi Station, Mashonaland, with water rights on
the Odzi River, for the purpose of erecting meat-canning and
freezing works. The capacity of the factory is to be approxi-
mately 75 beasts per day. It is the intention of the company,
as soon as the canning works are in operation, to proceed with
arrangements with a view to the freezing and export of meat
for shipment overseas.

Essentially, Rhodesia is a stock country. The conditions
point strongly to meat as the principal ultimate product to be
elaborated off the veld. Dairying, too, undoubtedly has a
bright future, yet primarily beef is to be looked to as Rhodesia’s
staple export to the world’s markets ; milk, butter and cheese
will chiefly meet the local demand.

Cattle-raising requires more capital and a longer time before
profits accrue, but ultimately yields a higher return. Crop-
growing yields a more regular and-an earlier return—a more
vital consideration to the newcomer and the man of limited
means. Ranching, or at least cattle farming on extensive lines,
is a growing feature of the times in Rhodesia, so far with a very
promising measure of success, the one general want as yet being
numbers. The indigenous native cattle supply the foundation
stock, improvement being gradually effected by the introduc-
tion of bulls of European breeds. The Government is en-
deavouring to encourage the systematic improvement of cattle —
in the country, and steps for the establishment of a stud farm
have been taken, whilst no inconsiderable time is devoted to
tendering information and advice on the subject.

There is no doubt that Rhodesian methods in cattle farming —
are advancing, the most noticeable signs being increased aiten-_
tion to such matters as hay-making for winter use, production of
forage and of root crops for stall feeding, the construction of —
dairies and dipping tanks, better housing, more attention to
the care of calves, and, perhaps above all, fencing. Changes
in the direction indicated are conspicuous on some of the large
ranches in Lomagundi and the farming districts of Goromonzi,

RHODESIA 239

Umtali, and elsewhere, where cattle now run day and night in
camps, undisturbed and free, with very obvious advantages,
as against the primitive custom of herding all day and kraaling
at night. The mortality of cattle from casual ailments and
accidents is singularly low throughout the country, but particu-
larly so where fencing enables the nightly concentration in
kraals to be avoided—an effective protection against the ap-
pearance and spread of contagious disease—and where the
conditions of life are otherwise rendered wholesome, natural,
and easy.

Major R. Gordon writes me from Beira, Portuguese E. Africa,
under date 13th October, 1918 :—

“T have been on special duty since February this year, buy-
ing cattle for the Imperial Government in Southern Rhodesia,
for export through Beira to German East Africa and Portu-
guese E. Africa for the troops in those territories. We send
them away alive, not frozen. The cattle have some hundreds
of miles to march after disembarking at the coast. Cattle in
Rhodesia are worth 40/— to 45/— per 100 lbs. dead weight, and
have greatly improved here the last few years. Many breeders
are progressing rapidly on sound lines.

“ Liebig’s Company has a ranch in Southern Rhodesia of
about 14 million acres (freehold), and they have now about
32,500 head of cattle on this ranch. They go in for Sussex and
Polled Angus breeds.

“The B.S.A. Company have a ranch, too, in Southern Rho-
desia, and their herd is about 70,000 now. That company go
in more for Herefords, but they have some Polled Angus cattle
as well as Shorthorns and N. Devons. Most of the famous
breeds from home do well in Rhodesia. There is no doubt that
Rhodesia will one day be a recognised big cattle producer.”

SOUTH AFRICA

THE Union of South Africa, comprising Natal, Transvaal,
Orange State, and Cape Colony, continues rapidly to grow in
importance as a source of Empire meat supply. The pastoral
condition of the country is eminently suitable for beef produc-
tion on a large scale, and the existing herds of cattle, which in
many parts are being rapidly improved, already total 8,000,000
head. Everywhere one sees efforts to improve the quality of
the beef and to make it suitable for the export trade. Freezing
works are being erected and enlarged at the various ports, and
railways are being extended. There is an ever-increasing de-
mand for stud cattle of both milk and beef breeds, and African
buyers at times almost equal those from the big South American

Republic in the prices they offer the British breeders. Even

during the war, continual consignments were being received.

Under an arrangement entered into some years ago between

the Union Government of South Africa and the Union Castle
Mail Steamship Company, it is provided that the shipping
company shall carry pedigree cattle freight free for a stipulated

number of years. No charge is made for freight, but a charge
is made for fodder and attendance of £4/15/— per head, and a

very active demand, and an increasing one, is being made for

all descriptions of-high-class animals. Some years ago Mr, —

Armour, of Chicago, stated that, in his opinion, South Africa
was the grandest ranching country in the world $ it only needed
brains, industry and enterprise. Cattle since 1904 have in-
creased from 3,500,000 to, in 1917, 8,000,000 head.

The generous policy of Sir Owen Philipps in carrying pedigree
stock from Britain to South Africa free of charge since he took
over the Union Castle line and obtained the renewal of the
South African mail contract is undoubtedly having beneficial
effects throughout the Union. Instead of being bred for

240

SOUTH AFRICA 241

“ trekking ” purposes only, as in the past, bullocks are now
bred for meat, and there is great improvement not only in the
quality, but in the dressing also, of the frozen article sent to
the English markets.

Without doubt, South Africa is destined to be a beef-export-

TypicaAL Karroo Scene. ANGORA GOATS AND OSTRICHES, GROOTFONTEIN,
CapPE COLONY

ing country on a large scale before many years are over. At
present the quality all round needs standardising, and the
butchering and dressing requires improving ; but this is un-
doubtedly being seen to by those who wish to see the industry
firmly and profitably established ; they are details.

The meat is now a more or less regular feature on Smithfield
market, and it is gradually becoming more regular in quality

R

242 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

as the producers become better acquainted with the market
needs. .
A very fine sample of South African beef was to be seen
recently in the Smithfield market. This was a consignment of
16 beasts, averaging 880 lbs. per body. The quarters made a —
very fine show ; they were prize meat from the Johannesburg _
Fat-Stock Show, having been sent by the South African Meat
Export Company after exhibition in Johannesburg. The meat
was from Aberdeen-Angus cattle, with a strain of Devon. Its
condition was perfect, good butchering being another quality,
which it was welcome to see. The meat fetched 83d. by the —
side, and attracted a good number of visitors from outside the
market, including Sir Owen Philipps, K.c.M.G., M.P., the well-
known Royal Mail Steam Packet chairman, who has done so —
much to further South African trade. 4
Farmers in all parts of South Africa are awakening to the —
potentialities of the meat export industry, and various concerns
are being formulated to take up the business. The pioneer
concern, known as the Farmers’ Co-operative Meat Industries _
Limited, has increased its capital considerably to enter upon &
larger enterprise, and another large company, comprising some _
of the best-known names in South Africa, has been formed.
Sir Thomas Robinson, the Agent-General for Queensland,
has during the war been purchasing on behalf of the —
British Board of Trade South African meat as well”
as Australian, New Zealand, Argentine, Brazilian, and
Canadian, but the quantities since the beginning of 1917 _
are not known, neither is the destination of the meat,
Over and above the purchases on behalf of the Govern-
ment for Great Britain and the Allies, there have been some
small shipments, sometimes 500 or 600 quarters, direct to
London by the Union Castle boats. The meat has fetched an
average of 9d. to 11d. per lb. for hindquarters, fores selling in
the usual corresponding ratio. In 1916 the export of froze
meat from South Africa amounted to 17,687,121 lbs., valued
at £354,341. All this was beef; there is no mutton going for-
ward. Of the above quantity 4,297,313 lbs., valued at £75,399,

Government contracts. These figures show a great advance

SOUTH AFRICA 243

over those of 1915, when the total export of meat from South
Africa amounted to 6,056,435 Ibs., valued at £107,362. Eng-
land took 5,095,000 lbs., of the value of £86,000. Complete
figures for 1917 are not available, but the total export of beef
up to 30th June amounted to 91,263 quarters, this quantity
including the Government contracts. The second half of the
year is always the busiest shipping season. The South African
farmers are making big strides, and are doing all they possibly
can to put the industry on a firm basis. Certainly an industry
which is already bringing in over £300,000 a year is one which
is bound to receive encouragement. There is so much re-
frigerated produce now sent away from South Africa that the
cold storage facilities at the ports are quite inadequate. The
stores are often full up, owing to the shortage of tonnage.

Everything points to the beef export trade of South Africa
being a huge thing within a few years. For the past two or
three years farmers have been repeatedly urged by the Govern-
ment experts and other authorities to improve their cattle,
and to direct proper attention to the question of feeding.
This advice has not fallen on deaf ears, for there is already a
very noticeable improvement in both directions. . Again,
farmers now comprehend the wisdom of the dipping practice,
and losses to-day are almost negligible as compared with those
of a few years back. The potentialities of the Union in this
direction have impressed many, and adequate preparations are
being made to deal with the future herds of the farmer. Four
huge cold storage works and abattoirs are being erected at
Durban, and the Government is extending the Congella wharf
by about two miles. Similar works are being erected at Port
Elizabeth, and at several inland centres; also at Lorenzo
Marques in Portuguese territory. The capacity of the coastal
works will be such as will enable the companies to export
throughout the year, the idea being to purchase almost
entirely during the summer and autumn months.

The following description of a South African cattle pro-
_perty, by the principal of the School of Agriculture, Cedara,
Natal, will be of interest :—

“This property, comprising some 100,000 acres of dry sand
country, is near Mafeking, and the herd is a monument to the

244 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

adaptability ef the Shorthorn, and also of his prepotency and —
impressiveness as a sire. That other of the improved breeds
might have done equally well is not denied ; but in this case —
the Shorthorn was the improved type used. It is proposed
to give details in regard to this successful herd, and to show
what is so apparent, viz. that the continual use of highly bred —
bulls of sound constitution and excellent stamp has increased
the value per head of the cattle considerably, whilst turning —
out an annual surplus of animals of the butcher type full grown —
and fat at three to four years old, which, when killed, give
meaty carcases fully calculated to meet the demands of the
European market.

‘ Eleven years ago a commencement was made by Mr. L. 8.
Meintjes with a small Shorthorn herd. Three years afterwards,
in conjunction with the African. Farms Ltd., 500 breeding
heifers and cows were obtained, chiefly in the Cape Province, —
and with the exception of some Friesland-Jersey crosses, a few
North Devons, and some nondescript animals from South-_
West Africa, all the original cattle showed Shorthorn blood.

“In 1907 the company started importing bulls, when two
Lincoln Reds were obtained, their breeding showing some —
Coates Shorthorn blood. Since then only good, well-bred
Coates Shorthorns of the “ Scotch ” beef type have been, used,
and all these bulls trace back directly or indirectly to the herd
of Mr. W. Duthie, of Collynie, and thence to the Cruickshank
herd.

‘Females have from time to time been imported. The first
batch of Lincoln Red females do not appear to have done wel
They did not maintain themselves in good condition. Nineteen
purebred Coates Shorthorn cows have also been imported fot
the purpose of breeding bulls for use on the ranch, and for sale.
Such home-bred purebred bulls find a ready market. ne
imported cattle, after becoming acclimatised, do just as well on
the veld as the grade cattle reared on the estate, Age for age,
the females bred on, the ranch are equal in size to the importe
animals. The bulls are smaller, however, as no attempt i
made to force their maturity.

“Taking the original mixed herd, each generation shows
some improvement over the original, but now and then a

IVLVN ‘OUNMZLIUV]IT UVAN ‘ISAGNISN FHL ‘AAAIY TWIVN V NO Lara(T V

SOUTH AFRICA 247

throw-back appears, and they will appear for a number of
years. Contrary to expectation, the higher graded animals
from the original cows, with strong Shorthorn foundation, of
which there are now four generations represented on the ranch,
do not show any tendency to lack of vigour and hardiness,
being quite as robust, if not more so, than the original cattle.
This robustness of constitution, with the consequent ability to

2 LESAN Fat ee OY NN A I eS yt
Se

E a

ZeBu HEIFER FROM SOUTHERN INDIA. NELLORE VARIETY

make the utmost use of the veld, has been secured by a fairly
strict selection of breeding females and a very strict adherence
to substance, strength, and vigour of constitution in the sires
used.

“In addition, taking seasons into consideration, the suc-
ceeding generations show progressively greater tendency to
early maturity, thus demonstrating that the finer bred cattle
can, make as good or better use of the veld than their presum-
ably more hardy forbears. The same also holds for the lower

248 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

grades, from the very mixed Jersey-Friesland and Africander
foundations. This finding encourages the owner of the ranch
in his idea of persisting with Coates Shorthorn bulls of the
right stamp. The paramount idea has been to produce an ox

matured at three to four years, and dressing up to 800 lbs.,
from the veld alone.

“ At present on the ranch there are some 2500 head of cattle,
which numbers are being gradually augmented. Of this num-
ber, 1000 head are breeding cows and heifers. For thisnumber
of females there are kept eighteen bulls. ;

“The cows are offered service at any time during the year,

J

i
ig

Merino PRIZEWINNERS AT WITWATERSRAND AGRICULTURAL SHOW,
SoutH AFRICA

there being no fixed service period. Thus, calves are dropped
every month. The method of service is to take the stabled
bulls down to the various watering places and to await the
arrival of the cows from the veld. In this way there may be
served, say, four or more cows in a morning, and in the after-
noon different bulls are taken down. It has been found in-
advisable to allow a bull more than three cows in any one day.
Thus, the dry herd, at the height of the season, will require
the services of as many as six different bulls in the one day.
In the far distant camps there are erected bull sub-stations, so
that the bulls may be kept at their stations without the long
trek back to headquarters, being fed and cared for near one of
the watering installations.

erry yoni

SOUTH AFRICA 249

“ Heifers are mated usually about twenty months to two
years old, according to size, it having been found that to allow
them to go any longer engenders barrenness, owing to their
being too fat to settle to the bull. Taking the average, the per-
centage of calves per annum, or the breeding efficiency of the
herd, is in the neighbourhood of 60 to 65 per centum. As
stated above, calves are dropped every month. It has been
observed that those calves born in the dry winter months are
slower in maturing. It is a matter for consideration, whether
the additional expense for bulls. and the risk incurred in having
a definite breeding season would be entirely counterbalanced
by the admittedly greater uniformity of the young stock which
would ensue. Calves are weaned usually at ten months, or
younger. Bull calves are castrated at from three to ten
days old. Weaners are run well towards the outskirts of the
ranch, and after a year those heifers of satisfactory size are
returned to one of the breeding herds. Oxen are drafted on
to good rearing veld at nine months, well away from the centre
of the ranch, where they grow out, and, when, about three years
of age, drafts of oxen are taken, on to the best veld and given
some months in which to finish.

“The oxen reared on the ranch are large, of a desirable beef
type, though somewhat long in the leg, and, perhaps, rather
coarse in the front; they are weighty and otherwise of good
conformation, and dress out well at slaughter.

“The following particulars of oxen from the ranch at four
years, exhibited at the agricultural show at Johannesburg on
the 6th to 9th April, 1915, and slaughtered at the municipal
abattoirs, may be of interest. It may be mentioned that these
oxen were retained at the ranch as not being good enough to
go forward with the consignments about four months earlier,
and consequently they are a little older than the average :—

Catalogue Live Weight Carcase Estimated Dressing

Number. Shrunk. Weight. Frozen Weight. Untrim’d.
Ibs. Ibs. Ibs. %
649 sr 1165 ey 695 Se 660 oF 59-0
648 Sic 1126 ae 683 or 649 SF 60-6
656 ae 1208 He 727 3 690 ae 60-0
647 2s 1176 nif 694 Se 659 ae 58-0

654 Sip 1210 “ie 725 =f 688 a 60-0

250 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

“ Description of No. 649.—Shorthorn, steer, four years.
Condition good to choice, smooth, loin fairly well covered,
ribs require to flesh down further.

“'Type.—Beef, good width and depth, little paunch, in-
clined to be leggy, not coarse. Hindquarters excellent. Shape,
a little lacking in flesh, quarter good, twist and flank fairly full.
Skin handles well.

“ Carcase.—Covering smooth, half-inch of fat over loin,
slightly hollow in loin, and lacking a little over the shoulder
and ribs. Slight marbling, fine quality, lean bright. Fat,
light yellow. .

“The description of the others would be in many respects _
similar to the foregoing.”

‘

SHEEPBREEDING IN SoutH AFRICA

Despite droughts and the ravages of diseases the flocks of

South Africa (British) increased from 16,000,000 in 1904 to —

36,000,000 in 1913. According to a recent issue of the Farmers’
Weekly, published at Bloemfontein, the estimated clip for the
season 1917-18 was 490,000 bales. This estimate is arrived
at by taking the average quantity of bales exported from —
South Africa during the last five years, but owing to the season
throughout the Union having been exceptionally good, the
clip is likely to exceed 500,000 bales.

The number of bales of last season’s wool left in the open
market was 478,348.

The quantity of wool sold on open market and shipped —
during the period Ist August, 1917, to 3lst March, 1918, was —
as follows :—

A WOOL IN GREASE
Destination. Lbs. Value.

United ee Gig a ee 773,943 £46,343
France .. ; Ay si *y 59,800 4,625
Canada ae oe 171,672 - 10277
United States of ‘America ye .. 34,664,093 2,334,872
Japan ae >. .. 30,374,619 2,514,875

Toit... sad .- 66,044,127 £4,910,992

Average price per grease lb., 17-89d.

SOUTH AFRICA 251
SCOURED WOOL
Destination. Lbs. Value.

United Kingdom xs 5 He 18,017 £2,522

Canada .. of oe Ja = 239,020 28,186

United States of America a se 45185322 1,203,179

Japan. =c xe : 986,735 168,083
Total .. re 8,429,094 £1,401,970

Average price per scoured lb., 39-93d.
Total grease and scoured in bales of grease, 265,080 bales.

In wool production, therefore, South Africa has made great
strides, and the limit of expansion has not yet been reached.
The writer visited the country about seven years ago, and it
was comparatively easy to note the scope for development of
the wool industry. There was, at that time, a remarkably
keen interest in sheep, especially the Merino, and there were
many fine stud flocks, and millions of pure wool-bearing sheep.
But at the same time one could not look upon the vast extent
of unfenced veld without wondering how much fencing wire
and subdivision would add to the carrying capacity.

One could not notice the numerous flocks of goats, Per-
sian sheep, and bastard sheep, without picturing the state of
affairs when these nondescript flocks are replaced by pure-
woolled sheep.

Then the necessity for draining swamps, and providing pure
sources of water supply, planting trees for shelter purposes,
and grazing flocks within fenced areas, instead of shepherding
them all day and kraaling them at night, were being realised
by progressive sheepfarmers. Another factor most noticeable
was the splendid efforts on the part of the South African
Government to develop the sheep and wool industry. Experi-
mental farms and colleges were established throughout the
Union. The services of capable experts were at the disposal of
sheep-owners, and behind it all was a magnificent laboratory
of research conducted by Sir Arnold Theiler, devoted to assist-
ing stock-owners in combating the numerous and deadly
diseases that affect live-stock in South Africa.

All these facts have counted in the development of the sheep
and wool industry in South Africa, but another factor might
well be mentioned.

After the smoke of the Boer War had cleared away, the

252 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

African farmer of Boer extraction saw that he was only eigh-
teen or twenty days from the London market. He appreciated —
the proximity to such a market, and he set out to develop a
connection with it. At the time of the Boer War, South Africa
imported large quantities of meat, chiefly from Australia, and
for years after the war these importations continued. The
imports of beef and mutton in 1903 (excluding the quantities
brought into South Africa by Orange Free State) were valued
at £2,885,000 ; in 1906, £757,000 ; in 1913, £105,000 ; and in
1915, £593, so that the quantities steadily diminished each
year, until in 1915 they almost reached vanishing point. On
the other hand, exports show a consistent increase from 1914,
when 55 tons, valued at £2,408, were sent overseas ; in 1915,
2274 tons were sent, value £86,000 ; and in 1916, 5520 tons,
total value £215,735, 2150 tons being for civilian and 3370 tons
for army purposes. The figures of last year are not yet avail-
able, but the estimate is 21,000 tons—1000 tons for the United
Kingdom and 20,000 tons for the Army, all these quantities
being exclusive of supplies for ships’ stores.

Australia has a particular interest in the development of the
sheep and wool industry of South Africa, because South African —
sheep-breeders have for many years been extensive purchasers
from Australian stud Merino flocks. As a matter of fact, the
leading stud flocks of Australia are just as familiar to South
African stud-breeders as they are to Australian and the merits
of rival Australian flocks are just as hotly discussed in South
Africa as they are in their own country, probably more so.

The importations of Australian stud Merinos into South
Africa from 1906 until the outbreak of war have been as —

follows :—
Year. No. of Sheep. Value.
1906 ae my Aa ay 105782 £29,489
1907 es ri 3 s 5,380 21,495
1908 73 os - .. 6,932 15,720
1909 =o aaa yn Ac 1,421 15,774
1910 ee eae iS. Stl, Lh ame ane 20,197
1911 ae ae Th oi 2,440 20,470 <
1912 Se ve a ie 5,234 35,545. =
1913 phe A. Si ae 5,349 36,165
1914 ie nie an rie 2,581 » 18,370

South African stud-breeders have shown great enterprise, q
and have proved themselves to be equal to their Australian —

SOUTH AFRICA 2a

contemporaries, when it comes to backing their fancies with
their cash. Many high-priced rams have gone to South Africa.
Even the war and the absolute dislocation, of shipping between
Australia and South Africa did not daunt the spirit of
South Africa to progress, for Mr. J. S. Minnaar, of Cape Colony,
purchased a ram from F. 8. Falkiner and Sons, Limited,
Wanganella Estate, for 2000 guineas during the war. This
was a plucky purchase in times like those, when shipping was
so disorganised.

Mr. P. Greathead, presiding at the annual meeting of the
Transvaal Land-Owners’ Association in May, 1919, said :—

“It is only since the war began that we have become a
meat exporting country, and until quite recently we had not
really recovered from the heavy wastage of stock during the
Anglo-Boer War. Indications are very definite in showing
that big expansion is in progress. Quite a number of ranching
companies have been formed, and individual farmers are pay-
ing much attention to their live-stock husbandry, as is shown
by the greater appreciation of improving sires. Never before
were such prices realised for highly bred beef and dairy stock
as during the last year. Reports on consignments of beef to
oversea markets have been highly complimentary to the stock
of the country and are very encouraging to growers, and I
think that many of our members could not do better than
establish herds of cattle on some of their bushveld land, which
is so highly suitable for the purpose. I think they would find
that with careful management—which is necessary in all
business—their ranching efforts would be very remunerative.
I have recently gone into the question of the cost of production.
I find on examining American statistics that it costs these
growers to-day thirty dollars—say, £6—to produce a yearling
steer, and that it costs them forty-two dollars—say, £8 8s.—to
produce a two-year-old marketable steer. Allowing that the
American two-year-old steer is equal in weight to our four-
year-old, I find that we can produce meat at from one-third
to one-half the cost to the American grower. General agri-
cultural statistics in this country are not available, but by
examining my own Company’s case, and the cases of numbers
of other cattle farmers, I find that the cost of raising a four-

254 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

year-old steer on bushveld land, at ten shillings an acre, is”
from £3 to £4. Our four-year-old steer and the American two-
vear-old would weigh approximately 600 lb. dead weight each.
Serub cattle with improving bulls will yield £2 per head per
annum throughout the herd in increased value if economically
managed, or, say, 20 per cent per annum on outlay. There are,
however, varying factors, namely, seasonal management, —
scale of operations, etc. The larger the scale, within limits,
the greater the net profit. A 600-lb. steer would cost approxi-
mately £4 to raise, say, 13s. 4d. per 100 lb. The present —
world’s market value at any of the South African abattoir or —
chilling centres is 48s. per 100 lb. for prime beef, 40s. for
medium, and 35s. for so-called compounds. Each four to five-
year-old steer will bring £12 to £15 and upwards on the market. —
The cost of marketing, transportation, etc., would vary with |
circumstances from 10s. to 20s. per beast in the round. There |
would therefore be from £7 to £10 profit on each steer sold. I _
think the inference is obvious.’ q

MADAGASCAR

THE French Island of Madagascar lies off the coast of East
Africa, and runs 1000 miles north and south, with a breadth
up to 360 miles. It is 226,000 square miles in extent, and is
mostly mountainous country, from 3000 to 5000 feet high,
with healthy, well-grassed undulating valleys and Jow hills.
Madagascar has large herds of cattle (the tax paid by the

SoIssONNAIS AND RAMBOUILLET RAMS
Held together by ‘‘Tanosy” shepherd.

natives some years back was on 5,000,000 head) and it is an
ideal country for cattle-raising. The herds number fully seven
millions at present, and beef is already being exported. In
a few years France could, by the importation of stud bulls,
enormously increase not only the numbers, but the weight of
the present stock, and, without trouble, fill the gaps in their
own, meat supply by beef from this beautiful island of theirs.
Any visitors to Madagascar must be impressed with the
richness of the grasses, not only in the numerous valleys,
but on the hills. Burnt year after year by big fires, it

255

256 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

springs up again with a profusion much more than sufficient
for the present stock running on it. |

In fact, the pastare land of Madagascai is almost unrivalled
in any part of the world. A committee which was appointed
recently by the French Government to investigate in what
manner the native cattle would be able to contribute towards
the meat supplies of France, has sent in its report. The
following conclusions were arrived #4 :—

“ (1) The introduction of Jive-stock from Madagascar into
France can be realised very soon, and all that is needed is
transportation facilities ; (2) if the cold store works actually
existing in Madagascar can increase their capacity, the expor-
tation of live-stock will be followed by that of frozen meat ;
(3) owing to the difficulty of obtaining from the shipowners or
navigation companies the boats needed for the transportation
of live-stock intended for exportation, the committee thinks
that as the State is the sole purchaser of this live-stock, it ought
to have entire charge of its transportation ; (4) it would be in
the Government’s interest to employ competent persons in the
shipping and landing centres to inspect the shipping operation —
and purchasing of the cattle ; (5) it would be advisable to leave
plenty of room for private enterprise.” el,

The export of canned, frozen, and salted meats is even now —
an important industry in the island, some thousands of tons
being shipped annually.

The large establishments at Majunga (belonging to Messrs.
Vestey Bros.), Diego-Suarez, and Tamatave are busy turning
out meat for the French Army.

The bulk of the beef exported from Madagascar was put up —
in tins until recently, when the Societe Rochefortaise, from its
Tamatave plant, began shipping frozen beef by the ships of the
Compagnie Havraise Peninsulaire de Navigation a Vapeur.

The three ships already fitted out with cold storage chambers
for the exclusive use of the products of the Societe Rochefor-
taise can accommodate 200 tons of frozen meat each, which
space corresponds with the present capacity of the local storage
plant. But this plant is soon to be enlarged so as to be able to
store 500 tons of frozen meat, and at least three additional
ships are to be fitted out with cold storage chambers of equ

MADAGASCAR 257

capacity. The cold storage space in each of the three ships
already being used can be increased to 500 tons.

The question of drawing largely on Madagascar and other
French colonial possessions for the meat supply of the French
Army and civil population has been under consideration, for
some time in official and commercial circles in France. Several
attempts have been made by private concerns to import live
beeves from the island into France, but these trials, it seems,

OS

of a EE

Youne Mapacascar BULL

Between 3 and 4 years of age, and one of the principal herd boys on
Mr, Sutherland’s property. The hump is a good one for a
three-year-old bull.

were not encouraging because of the long and severe voyage,
especially during the passage through the Red Sea.

Large numbers of Zebu cattle, averaging about 800 lbs. live
weight, are being shipped to Salonika for the French troops.

Madagascar, as anyone may see by a glance at the map, is
situated right on the “* wool belt ”’ of the Southern Hemisphere,
although rather to the north of the great pastoral lands of
Australia, South Africa, and South America.

There is a considerable variety of climates. The east coast
has a heavy rainfall, and no really cold season. The extreme
south and the western slopes of the main range of mountains
are much drier, and in the south they have some very cold

Ss

258 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

weather in winter. The difference between the eastern and
western sides of this range of mountains, which extends right
through the island, is very striking when you travel from Fort
Dauphin. Up to a small village called Ranopiso, twenty-two
miles from Fort Dauphin, vegetation of the ordinary tropical
character and rice fields, mango, and banana trees are con-
spicuous on all sides. Between Ranopiso and Bevilang
(‘“‘ Many Saucepans ”’), however, a long range of hills is crossed,
and the character of vegetation changes completely. At
Bevilang, which is only ten miles from Ranopiso, the vegeta-
tion is of a unique character, and all the trees are powerfully
armed for resisting drought. In many instances leaves have
practically disappeared. The stem has swollen, and seems to
take the place of leaves. Then these stems and leaves are
covered with a thin film of wax, which acts as a further pro-
tection against the evaporation of moisture, while the “ latex ”
or milky sap, which flows in the bark of so many trees and vines
of the country, and provides some very good rubber, seems to
be intended as a further protection against drought.

Another protection is needed, however, to prevent the ex-
termination of plants valuable as forage, and this is a protec-
tion against cattle stock itself. This is abundantly provided.
There are more thorns to the square yard in the Ondroy bush
than there are to the acre of English forest. The fantsi-holicke, a
wonderful tree, which has been compared to a forest of upturned
elephant trunks, is covered from the ground to its highest tip
by thorns about an inch in length, disposed of regular spirals
about an inch or two apart. Between these thorns, and just |
about the same length, grow small, oval, flat leaves, with the
consistence of soft leather.

The pastures are, however, of greater interest than the bush,
and these I must now describe. There are in this part of the
country two entirely distinct types of pasture. The one which —
seems to belong to the calcareous and sandy regions appears to”
be ideal pasture for sheep. In fact, the natives call it “ voln’ny
ondry,” or sheep’s pasture ; it is short and sweet. The other
is found mostly in granite regions and generally on eruptive
soil. It is called “‘danga,” and is to Madagascar what the
spear grass is to Australia. The seed is not more than abou

MADAGASCAR 259

half an inch in length, but it bears a long thread-like appendix.
Native sheep having no wool, do not seem to suffer from the
danga, while bullocks, owing to their greater height, only
collect it while grazing, and that around their horns and eyes.
If it gets into the eye it may, of course, be dangerous, yet,
broadly speaking, horned cattle do very well on danga.

Monsieur S. lL. Roussel writes me: “The land on which I
settled at first was right in the middle of eruptive and granitic
hills, and renowned for its good pasture. The sheep—both
native and imported Merinos—did well at first, and my shep-
herd was delighted with the abundant and rich growth of wool.
April came round, however, and with it the seeding season of
the danga. We soon saw that there was only one safe course,
and that was to keep the Merinosin. For one of them, however,
it was already too late ; internal inflammation had set in, and
he died after a week’s illness. This was my No. 1, a full-folded
Rambouillet, bought from the French National ‘ Bergerie.’

“T had, however, already looked round and found that
between the mountains of Ambia, where I had settled, and the
sea there was a region of beautiful pastures, covered with
voln’ny ondry, and my arrangements were complete to transfer
the flock there. :

“This transfer was no small matter. What with two cart-
loads of purebreds, that were too lazy to walk and too valuable
to risk on the road, a load or two of lambs which were too young
to walk, and some three hundred ewes, most of them in lamb
or with young, the comparatively short trip—only about sixty
miles—took the best part of a week. The crossing of the
Mananare and of the Mandrare Rivers were the chief events.
The Mandrare is a broad but not very deep river, where the
native ewes had the opportunity of showing off their swimming
abilities, while the purebreds were passed in a native ‘ lakana,’
or pirogue, cut out of the trunk of a single tree.

“This part of the country appears to be all that can be
desired for sheep. The grass is good, there is enough of bush
to provide shade and shelter—very little or none of the thorny
species described above. There is practically no running water,
but a fair supply of good water can be secured underground by
digging to a depth of from 20 to 40 ft. As the natives will

260 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

undertake to dig such a well for you at the contract price of
three young bullocks, and you can secure those for 30/— to £2
each, the undertaking is not ruinous. Well water is, however,
only used here for domestic purposes, and sheep and cattle—.
except cart oxen—are never given water. The fact is that the
abundant dew which they get on the grass in the morning is
quite sufficient for them. An abstemious breed has thus been
evolved under the special circumstances obtaining here, and
this remark applies to man as well as to animals. Many
villagers have to walk three hours or more to the nearest
water, and yet they remain on the hill or in the bush when
they might, if they cared, move nearer to a well or a river.

* The rainfall here is irregular, and the land being light and
sandy, [ must provide for periods of drought. This I am doing
by sowing some of the various forage seeds which during the
last drought have proved so helpful in South Africa to the
few farmers who had sown them—phalaris bulbosa, paspalum
dilatatum, festuca elatior. I am also trying saltbush, teosinte,
cowpeas, and velvet beans.

“The appearance of a plough, or ‘ oxen spade,’ as I describe
it to the natives, has caused a great sensation. It is, however,
as new to the oxen as to the men, and it will take a little time
until our oxen can plough a straight furrow.

“The real difficulty as regards land is that of securing any
large freehold or even leasehold grazing Jand. All land is open
to allcomers, and as the population, though not very large,
is pretty well distributed over the whole country-side, it is
difficult to secure from the Government the exclusive use of
any large area.

* You will no doubt inquire, ‘ What about the native sheep
and cattle?’ Sheep are fairly large and strong, mostly white,
with black or brown spots. In first crosses with Merinos there
seems to be very little black, mostly white and brown. As far |
as I can judge at present, the brown is short kemp, while the
longer wool is white. Thus a lamb which is quite brown at
birth, when it seems to be covered with only native-bred-kemp,
may get quite white in time, when the wool appears.

“ As far as I can judge, both from the experience of British
East Africa and from the products of experiments started a

MADAGASCAR 261

few years ago in this country by a Government ‘ vet.,’ the
second cross is a great improvement on the first. In fact, I
have seen two absolutely distinct types of crosses resulting
from the experiments made in this country. One has white
wool and short brown kemp on the back, and only brown kemp
on the belly ; the line of demarcation between the two regions
is quite definite. Those sheep I take to be first crosses, viz.
halfbred, or crosses between halfbred.

“ The other type has very little or no kemp on the back, and
has also the belly covered with wool. Those are, I suppose,
second crosses, viz. three-quarter Merinos, and no doubt also
sometimes crosses between halfbred, which have taken the
Merino characteristics both from sire and dam. Unfortunately,
the vet. who started those experiments—and who is now dead—
was not able to carry them on himself, and distributed his small
flock amongst the military and other Government officials of
the various surrounding stations. There they multiplied, and
were appreciated on account of the superior meat they provided
the ‘mess’ with, but systematic breeding was discontinued,
and no record kept of the crosses.

“What I have seen of these small flocks goes to show, how-
ever, that improvement in the wool can be rapidly secured,
but also that with indiscriminate breeding there can be an
equally rapid reversion to the native type. I have seen in
these flocks sheep which I was told were crossbred, but which
I certainly would have taken for pure native.

“T tried at first hand-serving, and kept the rams separate
from the flock. I found, however, that this was very slow work,
and that the ewes were somewhat terrified by their unaccus-
tomed mates. I am, therefore, now letting the rams and ewes
run together, and breeding proceeds apace.

“ Summarising, I think that there are excellent prospects in
this country. The land difficulty may make it necessary to
adopt another system than in Australia. In fact, I am now
considering a scheme for working hand in hand with the
native—I providing the rams and they the ewes and the pas-
ture under their own supervision. I would thus limit myself
to the breeding of stud rams, for which sufficient land can be
secured. This or some other method must be evolved for

262 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

getting round the land difficulty, as this country appears to
have great possibilities for wool growing, although, as far as I
know, it does not so far export one bale or even 1 lb. of wool.”

Mr. W. Sutherland, Ambohijanahary, Ambatondrazaka,
Madagascar, writes me that there are scarcely any English
cattle-breeders in the country. He says: “‘ There is the Cie
Generale Frigorifique 4 Majunga. The manager is an Aus-
tralian, and there are a number of Englishmen and Australians
employed there. The cattle are at present nearly all owned by
natives, excepting a few owned by Frenchmen. Cattle are still
cheap here; bullocks fattened on manioc, and giving about
660 lbs. of meat nett, are selling at £6, while those fattened on
grass, and giving about 440 lbs. of meat, sell at about £4.”

Other French colonies from which supplies of cattle can be
procured, and where they are only awaiting good modern
methods to increase in numbers and quality, are Algeria, Cam-
boa, and Senegal.

There is a freezing plant, known as the Lyndiane works, in —
Senegal, on the West Coast of Africa, belonging to the French.
During the latter half of 1916, 13,198 quarters of frozen beef
were shipped to the French military authorities. The hearts,
livers, brains, tongues and kidneys were also frozen and shipped
to France in 95 lb. cases. There are great prospects for
Senegal when good stud bulls are imported and scientific
breeding introdneed.

Mutrron Exports To FRANCE

According to a report of the Marseilles Chamber of Commerce,
the North African colonies, Algeria and Tunis, exported to —
France supplies of mutton estimated as follows: 1909,
1,120,729 sheep; 1910, 1,256,908; 1911, 968,304; 1912,
812,865; 1913, 1,286,985; giving a total of 5,445,791. This
makes an average of 1,089,158 sheep per year. During the
war the exports were: 1914, 711,126; 1915, 1,176,41235
1916, 861,695; 1917, 659,136; 1918, 300,000; totalling
3,708,369 sheep. This gives an average of 741,673 sheep per
year.

MOROCCO

TuIs country is a surprise to those who take the trouble to
visit it. Recently a friend of mine from South Australia,
Mr. R. G. Young, a thoroughly practical man, was engaged
by the French Government to report on its pastoral and
agricultural possibilities, and in an interview I have had
with him on his return said: “I travelled over 3,000 miles
during the two months I was there, always by motor, and
found good to excellent roads most of the journey. I found
much of it covered with herbage, with excellent native salt
bush at places, and with wild flowers in profusion. A very large
area, in fact 7,000,000 acres of cultivation: wheat, oats,
barley, maize, peas and beans. I have never seen such prolific
crops of the two latter. There is another 10,000,000 acres fit
for cultivation and a balance of about 8,000,000 acres too
stony or arid, but none of it could be called real desert
country. Thirty thousand tons of beans, 6,000,000 bushels
of barley, and 1,500,000 bushels of wheat were exported to
France last year.

“No machinery at all is used, all the work is done by hand
with the old-fashioned flail for the thrashing. I covered
360 miles north and south with a depth of 120 miles from the
sea to the ranges. This area has a rainfall averaging from
12 to 30 inches per annum ; it is very regular, and droughts
are rare. The land rises gradually from the sea to the ranges,
which average 12,000 feet at the highest point. Abundant
water is to be found over most of it, with good rivers and
sub-artesian supplies at from 15 to 30 feet on the lower levels.
One of the most striking characteristics is the heavy dews.
These occur almost nightly, and soak one to the skin. There
is very little grass of any sort. I think the reason for this is
that the country swarms with snails and these have eaten it

263

264 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

out during past years. They, however, can be easily got rid
of by cultivation. There is almost an entire absence of
trees. On the ranges, however, cedars are plentiful, and on
one part in the north there is the forest of Marmora, consisting
of 300,000 acres of cork elms.

LivE Stock

“There are 6,000,000 merino sheep and 1,000,000 cattle, a
small beast showing distinctly a Jersey type. The sheep are
poor specimens in type, giving about 33 lbs. of mushy wool,
without character with a pre-war value of about Is. to 1s. 1d.
per fleece. The sheep industry is carried out in a most primi-
tive way, rams and ewes mate when they like, and lambs
come at all times of the year. No castration is performed, and
the result is what practical sheep men can expect. At shearing
the animal is tied and the fleece removed with a crude pair
of scissors; the belly wool is never removed, as the natives
believe it keeps the animal from catching cold. There are
few or no diseases in the country, a little lung worm among
the lambs, and a little tick and red water among the cattle,
but nothing of serious moment. The natives earn 3 francs a
day, about 2s. 4d., and are very ready to learn new methods.
They work well if watched, but are fond of gossip and talk —
whenever they get a chance. I castrated a few sheep and some ~
calves for their edification; it was wonderful how quickly
they seized the idea and the method of doing it.

“There is no fencing in the country; all the stock are
yarded at night, but there are no wild animals to injure them.
The cattle kill at about 450 lbs. Large numbers alive, with
sheep and pigs, are shipped regularly to France. Negotiations
are being entered into with a firm to erect freezing works at
Casablanca, or some other port on the coast, and doubtless,
in the future, there will be a substantial export of frozen meat. —
The pig industry is large; pigs are to be seen everywhere.
They live almost entirely on truffles and snails, and the flesh
is delicious. A big trade could be built up at once in frozen
pork. There are almost unlimited possibilities for the industry.

‘“ Poultry is another very large industry. Millions of eggs

MOROCCO 265

are sent monthly to France; they cost about 9d. per dozen
at the ports. All the natives keep fowls.

LAND

« At present land is not procurable, but the French Govern-
ment is making arrangements whereby in two years very large
areas will be thrown open for practical stockmen and farmers
from other parts of the world. Merino rams from Australia
should be introduced, and the weight of wool per sheep can
be largely increased and the quality improved. Judicious
imports of grade cattle will vastly increase the weight and
quantity of the cattle, and numbers can be easily quadrupled.

“Morocco is only a few hours’ steam from the southern
French ports, and refrigeration when introduced will largely
increase the food supply of that country and the prosperity
of the Protectorate. France has a very valuable asset in
Morocco.”

BRITISH EAST AFRICA

THE rapid development of British East Africa is little short of —
marvellous in view of the many difficulties with which settlers —
have had to contend. To the Imperial East Africa Company
is due the credit of first opening up the country, but after years
of struggle its charters were surrendered to the Crown, and
some eighteen or nineteen years ago the only importance the
country had in the minds of outsiders was derived from the
fierce political strife which took place over the construction of —
the Uganda railway as a backdoor to Egypt. This undertaking
was derided as a useless waste of money which would never
bring an adequate return, yet within ten years of its com-
pletion it earned nearly 24 per cent on its extravagant cost of
over £5,000,000, in 1913 it earned 34 per cent, and since then it
has been increasing in prosperity yearly. It is now inadequate
for the needs of the country. The main line has a length of
584 miles, and links the Indian Ocean with Lake Victoria
Nyanza, upon which is a fine fleet of steamers. Feeders or
branch lines have come into existence, and further extensions
are being carried out.
The climate, although the country is on the Equator, is mag-
nificent. This is accounted for by the fact that the area suit-
able for white settlement consists of vast tablelands running
up from 4000 to 9000 ft. in height, and culminating in the per-
petual snows of Mount Kenia at an elevation of over 16,000 ft.
These tablelands are of great fertility, blessed with an abun
dant rainfall, and in little more than fourteen years over 7000
white people have made their homes in a country which for
centuries supported nothing but savages and teeming herds of
game. Civilisation now exists in the midst of savagery.
scantily clad native may be seen intelligently using a telephone
or seated in his master’s motor-car. The settler when tired ¢
266

BRITISH EAST AFRICA 267

working may take up his rifle and shoot a gazelle for meat, or
seek the excitement of a battle with elephant, lion, or rhino-
ceros, and then return to his comfortable club or electric-lit
home !

Fourteen years ago land could be bought or leased from the
Government at a nominal figure, but settlers found it hard to
make both ends meet owing to the absence of markets for their
produce. Picked farms changed hands for a mere song, and
many were surrendered to the Government. To-day well-
developed coffee and sisal hemp plantations are yielding rich

Concont, sHoT BY Mr. DuncAN CARSON

returns to their owners. Thousands of,acres are under,wattle,
maize, wheat, and beans. Sawmills are at work in the forests ;
orchards are yielding their fruit. Probably there is no richer
pasture in the world than exists in some parts of British East
Africa, and the many stock diseases which used to be rife are
rapidly disappearing before scientific investigation, and treat-
ment. Inoculation provides immunity from rinderpest, dipping
prevents the dreaded East Coast fever, and to-day it is found
possible to graze highly susceptible imported stock where a few
years ago the hardier native cattle succumbed. There seems
little doubt, therefore, that the highlands of British East Africa
are likely to develop a great cattle industry.

268 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

Fourteen years ago infrequent steamers dropped casual pas-—
sengers in Mombasa. Two trains a week ran up to the high- —
lands, and for several years in Nairobi the trains were an event —
of such importance that clergymen protested against one of the —
trains arriving on Sunday in that it drew away nearly their —
entire congregation! Nairobi consisted of the Government
and railway offices and quarters, one or two white tradesmen,
the bazaar, and a few other Indian shops. Metalled roads —
there were none outside the railway quarters. The Govern-—
ment road, though laid out, was a quagmire bordered by a few
beginnings of buildings. So little did some people believe in —
East Africa that a deputation of prospective settlers was in-
formed by the Provincial Commissioner that British East —
Africa was not a country for white settlement, and that they
were not wanted !
_. Turning to the land side of the question, wonderful advance —
is shown. In 1904 the majority of the settlers had their hold-_
ings in the Kyambu district, and even in that fertile area many —
found it impossible to make both ends meet. Land was prac-
tically valueless, and quite a large number of farms changed
hands for a mere song, or were surrendered to the Government.
It is true a slight boom set in during the year owing to the
rapid influx of new settlers, but when the subsequent reaction
came things were worse than ever, and the optimists of the
country could have easily been counted on one’s fingers. Up-
country the position was almost worse than round Nairobi;
quarantine had brought the stock trade to a standstill ; depres- —
sion was everywhere. Land then to be had for the asking has
increased in value by leaps and bounds until improved Kyambu
coffee farms have changed hands at over £25 an acre, and un
improved land at £12 and over an acre. Many of the big graz-
ing areas throughout the country have proved valuable agricul-
tural lands, and have been split up into small blocks selling at
up to £2 and £3 an acre. Everywhere a steady increase im
values has taken place. .

However, it is no place for a man without capital, 4 manual
labour being done by natives or Indian artisans. On the other
hand, it offers great attractions to the young man of moderate
means, and enterprising enough to grapple with new conditions.

BRITISH EAST AFRICA 269

Sheep are of a very poor class, being mostly grades between
the native ewe, fat tailed, and the purebred Merino ram. Pure-
breds imported direct into the country do not do well, and
apparently it is not advisable to bring in high-priced rams, for
they deteriorate tremendously. A ram carrying a good dense
fleece, with good character and plenty of staple, will in twelve
months’ time develop into a haggard-looking creature, with
short, hard, weak, and altogether bad wool. If in a show a
£100 ram were awarded 95 points, and a £40 sheep secured 70,
then under similar conditions, in a short space of time
they would both be reduced to about 30 points. Again, should
the progeny of a high-priced ram be very good, it also seems to
go back later on. Therefore, at present, it is too early to pay
high prices for sheep. Some farmers have gone in for the pure-
bred Merinos, which were imported from South Africa, but, as
compared with the grades, they do not do well. The most
favourable results are obtained from crossing the Merino ram
with the native ewe, for the mothers are acclimatised, having
been in the country many years, which, of course, is a great
advantage to the offspring. Then, again, the Merino ram is
crossed with the halfbred, and so on until it is exceedingly
difficult to distinguish a fourth cross from a half Merino.
Stock-owners have not gone much further than this, for the
sheep industry is still in its infancy, but in those few instances
where they have reached the fifth and sixth cross, the owners
are not well pleased, for they say that the lambs are mostly
very miserable and difficult to raise.

It is not surprising that sheep do not do well, for in the first
place good sheepmen are exceedingly few, whilst the condi-
tions under which sheep live are far from being desirable. The
rule is for one or two “ boys ”’ to herd a mob of about 1000
during the day, and for one “ boy ” to watch them at night.
The sheep are generally put into “ bomas” (brush yards) at
night, and unless these ‘‘ bomas ”’ are frequently changed, they
get into a filthy state. It is often the case that they are not
renewed as frequently as they should be, with the result that
the sheep have to camp on what is practically a manure heap.

Three great things to contend with are disease, stealing, and
wild animals. There are many diseases from which sheep

270 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

suffer, including scab, tick, wire-worm, nose disease, and blue
tongue, but by plenty of attention most of the disorders can
be kept in check. The stealing, which is carried on by the
natives, is perhaps worse than anything else, and is, indeed,
very difficult to deal with, for it is mostly done during the
night, and the trouble is that one’s own herders are often
“in” with the thieves. The wild animals are becoming fewer —
as the country gets more settled, but still they account for a
good many deaths.

Cattle do very well, and there is no doubt that this willsome —
day be a great cattle country. Excellent results are obtained
by crossing native cows with purebred bulls, and it is astonish-
ing that the hump that is so prominent in the mother is, in the —
majority of cases, entirely lost in the progeny. The worst
diseases amongst cattle are East Coast fever and rinderpest, —
also gall-sickness is troublesome. By systematic dipping, East
Coast fever can be absolutely avoided, and with stringent —
quarantine laws, and by inoculation, rinderpest can be kept —
well in hand. In the majority of cases gall-sickness can be -
cured. Native cows sell at prices ranging from £6 to £9, while
halfbred cows sell from £15 to £20.

Between Nairobi and Sultan Hamid there is very good coun-
try for stock in many parts, particularly the Athi plains, —
but the ticks are so plentiful on these plains that without
regular dipping stock would fare very badly there. The very
large herds of game on the Athi plains are an excellent proof
of the good qualities of the grasses there. There is a grass on
these plains almost identically the same as Rhodes grass, but
it does not grow as high as this famous variety of the dub grass.

There is no doubt that the Athi plains will some day carry
large herds of cattle. The carrying capacity of this part is very
high, but the grasses are rather inclined to be watery, and the
stock fattened here will not have good kidney fat. The con-
dition generally will be soft without artificial feeding, and stock
will quickly lose their condition if travelled far by road or rail

The rainfall at Athi River Station averages about 25 inches
Around Nairobi the country generally is too valuable as coffee
land to think of using it for carrying cattle. ,

Further west beautiful country is found at Naivasha

BRITISH EAST AFRICA 271

Nakuru, and cattle do very well indeed there, but as many
parts will become valuable as coffee lands probably cattle
will not be raised in large numbers. The rainfall at
Naivasha averages 25 inches, and at Nakuru 35 inches, so the
grasses are generally very green and look beautiful, but they
are watery, and hard condition on stock cannot be expected
without artificial aid. The carrying capacity is high here also.
Dry countries are always better cattle countries than, wet
countries. Grasses always contain more nutriment in the
former.

There are many parts of British East Africa spoken of as
being good cattle country that lie to the north of the line after
passing Nairobi.

The best fattening country in British East Africa is around
Mouyuni and Maktua, and to the north of this part. The
country there is very dry, but the grasses are full of nutriment.
Water is very scarce in these parts. As regards “‘ German ”
East Africa, the good cattle country seems limited to a small
area comparatively. The country around Ivinga is really good
cattle country. There are no tsetse flies there, and it is sup-
posed that horse sickness is unknown.

Now the war is over there will be a great demand for stud
cattle for British East Africa. The first thing that impresses
the newcomers is the varied character of the plains and the
quality of the herbage growing thereon. As one gazes from
the window of the spacious coaches of the Uganda railway,
which traverses the whole length of the Protectorate, one sees
vast expanses of veld equal, if not superior, to any in South
Africa, teeming with game of all description, giraffe, zebra,
and a dozen varieties of antelope, all “fat as butter,” and all
apparently in excellent health. Here and there, at certain
seasons, may also be seen, vast mobs of cattle and sheep belong-
ing to the Masai, a very wealthy pastoral community. The
best cattle country in the Naivasha district is to be found on
the Kinangop Plateau, a tableland lying between the Lake and
the Aberdare Mountains, at an elevation, ranging from 7000 to
9000 ft. above sea-level. The farms on this plateau average
5000 or more acres each, and excellent work has been done
during recent years by use of purebred bulls upon the native

272 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

stock. One end of the Kinangop Plateau forms part of the big
tract of 500 square miles owned by the East African Syndicate.
West of this, and extending from within a few miles of Gilgil
up to Laikipia, the former home of the Northern Masai, lies a
magnificent tract of country eminently suited to cattle.

Much of this country lies at an elevation of 9000 ft. above sea-
level, so that the cold nights encourage the growth of plenty
of hair, whilst disease is almost unheard of, which renders dip-
ping unnecessary. The farms in this district are large, and
subdivision is gradually being effected by some of the owners,
80 that a few years hence much of this land should carry its
full share of stock. The herbage is all that cattle can desire,
red and white clover being abundant, in addition to a great
variety of natural grasses. !

Reference must be made to the native stock of British East
Africa, for it is upon the native breeds, which are most un-
promising-looking beasts, undersized, with drooping hind-
quarters and of all colours, that the improved Asiatic Zebu or
humped breed are first set to improve. These cattle are hardy
and good breeders, and soon fatten upon grass alone. They
live out of doors in all weathers, and although, as already in-
dicated, their milking qualities have been impaired by genera- _
tions of mismanagement, the milk is exceedingly rich in butter
fat. The lactation period is short, but in spite of its failings
the native cow responds to efforts for improvement in a truly
marvellous manner.

The result of the first cross with a bull of any pure breed is
almost invariably a calf which is scarcely recognisable as the
offspring of its mother. The hump disappears, the hind-
quarters become straightened out, the ribs are better sprung, —
and more often, than not the calf shows the character and colour
of its sire, whilst in size it far surpasses any of its low-born
relatives. These calves thrive and grow rapidly, and at two —
years of age are worth practically double the value of their
dam. Of course, the improvement effected by the second and —
third cross is not so clearly marked as the first, but so much do
the offspring partake of the character of the purebred parent
that it is frequently almost impossible to distinguish a three-
quarter from a purebred heifer.

BRITISH EAST AFRICA 273

Mr. Duncan Carson, of Sydney, wrote lately in The Pastoral
Review as follows :—

“ Paying a visit to British East Africa for the second time,
one cannot fail to be struck by two facts—one, the marvellous
increase in the values paid for land, the other the want of justi-
fication for such an advance, the exception being land suitable
for coffee. With this crop, returns from the few plantations

Mr. McGrecor, MANAGER OF THE NAIVASHA STUD
Farm, B.E.A., AND SERVAL CAT

which are bearing, it is stated, show profits of over £40 per
acre, so high values for the land are justifiable.

“On the occasion, of my first visit what struck me as curious
was the great amount of faith held by practically all the settlers
in the future of the country, and the extremely rare cases where
they (the settlers) were attempting to justify this faith by buck-
ing in in raising stock or crops to show the returns the land was
capable of producing.

“ Strange as this may appear, this remains one of the curiosi-
ties of the position. Many of the settlers, both young and
middle-aged, appear as if they took up the land with the ex-

T 5

274 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

pectations of. making a good rise out of the unearned incre-—
ment, not with the desire to secure a good income from the
products of that land, and show little desire for real hard work.

“ As in all new countries, it is the man, young or old, who is
capable of turning the land to best account, either by hard
work with his hands or brains in directing his labour, who is
of the greatest value to the country.

Unfortunately, many of the settlers appear to think that by
habiting the land, by running a few head of cattle or sheep, or
by cultivating a small area, they are doing all that can be
expected of them. Many even do less than that. For these
men it has been fortunate that the land speculators have come
along and given them high prices, but it is unfortunate for the
next man who desires that block that he has to give the specu-
lator his profit and pay a price when there are few actual returns
from the property, in some cases no returns, to show what is
the real value of the place. Interest is at a high rate, and money
is borrowed from the private lenders at from 10 up to, I believe,
15 per cent, so that only high returns from the farms would
justify the prices, from £2 up to £3 per acre, which are paid for
grazing propositions.

“Taking a rough and rapid survey of the position, it means
that the country even yet has not settled into its stride. Some
few, probably thirty, in British East Africa, are doing well out
of coffee. Some few—probably a dozen—are doing well out of
sisal hemp. Others make returns from butter, the sale of sur-—
plus cattle and sheep or produce.

“ At the time of my former visit the country for British East —
Africa was very dry, but the quantity of grass that clothed the —
pastures of this visit made the country very attractive, but it
would require a long sojourn in the country before one could —
say which were the grasses most suitable for stock, as settlers —
in different districts have widely different ideas as to the feed-

ing virtues of the different grasses, herbs, and shrubs, and also
as to the carrying capacity of the land. An Australian used to
the carrying capacity in Australia naturally forms his own idea,
but that is best kept to oneself ; but, taking it on the whole,
British East Africa is more a cattle country than, at any rate,
one for Merino sheep.

BRITISH EAST AFRICA 275

“There are some small areas near Naivasha, and to a much
larger extent the country in the Southern Guaso Nyiro, now
held by the Masai tribe, which an Australian would consider
good grade Merino sheep country ; but the Masai country is
not available, and I did not see the other districts, where
reports say Merinos would thrive—at any rate the area is
limited.

“The Merinos require drenching fairly frequently for wire
and tape-worm, and are all dipped, but looked very well indeed
at the time of my visit.

“The settlers are keen on getting grade bulls for crossing
with the native cattle, and give £50 and over for bulls that few
Australian breeders would look at, whilst purebred Shorthorns
of quite moderate grade would realise 60 to 90 guineas. Un-
fortunately, I did not see Lord Delamere’s herd, but I under-
stand it is of a high grade, but several of the more enterprising
settlers are getting quite nice herds of pure and grade cattle
that seem to do well on the natural pasturage.

“What appealed to me in shooting through the largé Masai
reserve in the Southern Guaso Nyiro, and seeing the very large
herds held by that tribe, was that it would be well worth 3
settler’s energies to get a pick of the native Masai cattle, select
a good bull, and then start and improve that breed. There is
plenty cf room for it, and one is encouraged in this, as, were
one to select, say, the top 20 per cent out of the huge herds
held by the Masai, one would have a lot of excellent animals of
that breed, valuable not only as beef oxen, but also as trek
oxen. The Masai, whilst sometimes using good bulls, frequently
breed from a bull because they fancy his colour, which is gener-
ally a freak, such as spotted black and white or one with some
brindled markings ; whilst many of the dun-coloured, or red-
dish brown, or fawn-coloured animal: are quite attractive, and
would be the type to maintain and improve.

* Whilkt the country has nct yet got into its stride, and will
never be 2 country for large individual herds, it undoubtedly
holds great possibilities of quick advancement for the young
man who can keep away from the Nairobi and Nakura bars,
and will be content to put in some good solid work in making
a home for himself. Formerly the diseases in the cattle were

276 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

enough to frighten the intended settler, but rinderpest, I was )
assured by the Government expert, was readily held in check }
by inoculation, whilst the dreaded East Coast fever is quite
easily stopped by dipping the cattle every three days fora
period of six months. For an Australian this seems a lot of
work, but as a settler with 300 to 400 head of cattle is looked
upon as having a large herd, the dipping takes the native herds-
men (who become quite expert at putting the cattle through)
from an hour to two hours. One good advance has been the
erection of these dips at the various farms. Unfortunately for
the employer of native labour, the introduction of so many of
the Indian coolies has caused the adoption of their intensely
slow methods of working. If a road is being made the material
is carried in small baskets, mostly put into basket by hand, and
then carried at a very slow walk (about a two miles per hour
rate) to its destination. To make the most of the available
labour this wants altering, though it will take a strong man
to do it, but it would make the labour twice as efficient. Labour
is much dearer than formerly, but still ranges from 6 to 8 rupees
a month with food (posho), costing, say, 3 rupees average, or
well under a pound a month, including food. The hours worked
vary a great deal, and one settler gets on with his labour much
better than others, but it can be taken as a fact that labour is
getting dearer and more difficult each year. At the same time,
the better men are becoming more efficient. After all, the
natives do not require much mcney. The young men want —
sufficient to buy one or two wives—the elder men more wives,
so that they can retire from work, and get their shambas (eul-
tivated plot) worked by their wives. With most tribes it is the
wives who do the heavy work.

“ The country, where the elevation is over 5000 ft., is mainly —
a very healthy one for Europeans, the climate delightful, with
very slight variations the whole year round. At the lower
levels and in Uganda, of course, fever is prevalent, and the
European has to take considerable care to avoid mosquitoes
and fly bites, and thus keep as free as possible from malaria.
In Uganda, which I did not visit at this time, the prospects are
stated to be very great for coffee, rubber, and cocoa, whilst
cotton affords a not very high return. To one who is tired of

BRITISH EAST AFRICA 277

the never-ending socialistic trend of Australian politics, British
Kast Africa offers not only the prospects of a very remunerative
field for his energies, but at the same time a very healthy spot
in which to spend his days whilst he can indulge in big game
shooting to his heart’s content.”

Rep Pott DArry Herp, Property or Mr. J. E. QuESTED, KENT, ENGLAND

SOUTH-WEST AFRICA

In this part of Africa, until recently owned by the Germans, ~ .

there are excellent grazing lands in the higher country. The
Herrero tribe are nomadic cattle owners, and possess large herds

in Damaraland. It is almost purely a pastoral country, agri- —

culture being confined to the territory around Grootfontein, —
Amboland, and the Okavango Valley. Since the rinderpest in —
1897 the country has been practically free from serious diseases,
and stock-raising can be successfully and cheaply carried out.
Liebig’s Company have recently obtained a big area of cattle
country, which is a proof of its value. It is quite probable that
under good government this country has a great future before —
it for cattle and sheep-raising.

Art az

278

EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN

In Egypt there are very large numbers of cattle, nearly every
farmer keeping a few head, and these are fed and fattened on
the luxurious fields of the Delta. During the last few years the
Egyptian Government has taken steps to improve the quality
and size of these.

Some seven miles out of Cairo, at Shubri, there is in existence,

Group or YounG Cows (IMPROVED), BY IBN SHAKEI,
3 YEARS OLD

under the able control of Mr. A. C. Branch, a large stud of
thoroughbred and Arab horses, cattle, and sheep. This belongs
to the Sultanieh Agricultural Society, and was instituted some
years ago by Prince Hassan.

Accepting a kind invitation by Mr. Branch, I motored out
recently to inspect it. The drive was interesting, as I passed
through some of the richest land in Egypt, rented at £22 per
acre, and worth up to £350 per acre. Every description of crop

279

280 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

looked in magnificent condition. Veritably Egypt is a land of
plenty. On arrival I drew up at the door of a big brick pile of
buildings, and was taken to see the stock. Mr. Branch’s pro-
fession is that of improving the native stock, and I saw some
most interesting results. Naturally, mistakes have been made,
but that can be taken for granted. For instance, Norfolk rams
were introduced into the native fat-tailed sheep, with the result
that the tail was bred out; then it was discovered that no
native would buy the sheep without the fat tails, so now they
are busy’ breeding the tail back again. Egypt has very few

NATIVE Butt, Ipn SHAKEI, 6 YEARS OLD

animals giving much fat, and the sheep’s tails, which are almost
entirely fat, giving up to 8 lbs. weight, are naturally of great
value.

The first bull brought out for my inspection was a real
corker, weighing 2226 lbs., a native bull of a light dun
colour, called Diarb, seven years old. The next, a little darker
in colour, and nearly as big, was Ibn Shakei, six years old.
Then I saw a younger one, three years old, called Ibn Khali
and next a gigantic buffalo bull.

A group of very pretty three-year-old cows by Ibn Shakei

quite took my fancy. A buffalo cow of enormous proportions

came next; this cow gives four gallons of milk per day, with |

EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN 281

8 per cent butter fat. I finished up the cattle by a view of
several beautiful young calves, showing what vast improve-
ment can be made in the native stock by judicious breeding.

The Soudan also promises to be a good country for cattle,
and a port now in existence in the Red Sea will give it an outlet
for the exports of live-stock and later on for frozen meat.
There are great opportunities for the cattle industry on the
Nile.

Native EcypTiAN BULL (IMPROVED), DIARB, LIGHT DUN,
7 YEARS OLD. Weight, 2226 lbs.

THE SHEEP IN EGYPT AND SOUTHERN
PALESTINE

HISTORY ;

It is apparently doubtful whether the sheep is indigenous to —

Palestine and Egypt, nevertheless sheep history in these climes —
dates back many centuries. There are several Biblical refer-

ences to sheep in Palestine, and in Egypt a species of sheep —

existed under the early dynasties, but appears to have ben .

extinct about the Twelfth Dynasty, 2466 B.c.

THE BREEDS

There are about eight breeds of importance throughout —
Egypt and Southern Palestine. Some by cross-breeding are —
of recent evolution, and considered fixed types. Some sheep
are wholly brown or black or white ; in other cases there are
breeds and crosses for the most part white, but with black or —
brown heads and lower limbs and patches of colour on the —
body. There appears to be no set down points as to what a
particular breed should conform with to meet the requirements
of purity and fixity of type.

The most important breeds are :—

SAIDI SHEEP

A hornless breed, generally all black. Wool coarse and
long. Sheep belongs to the district south of Assiut (Upper
Egypt). Being a comparatively heavy wool producer, this”
breed cannot withstand hardships like the lighter-woolled
breeds, and it is more profitably farmed on the irrigation
areas. . =

Eperpt SHEEP

Another hornless breed, white in colour, and carrying w

we would call a medium quality crossbred wool. The br
282

EGYPT AND SOUTHERN PALESTINE 283

is found in the district south of Assiut. The Ebeidi and Saidi
are, comparatively speaking, thin-tailed varieties.

. RAHMANI SHEEP

A horned breed, said to belong to Syria, from which country
it has been introduced to Egypt, and flocks are scattered
freely over the waste lands about the Nile deltas, where good
‘grazing (good for Egypt) is available after the subsidence of
the annual flood. The wool is long, generally brown, rather
‘coarse and harsh, and inclined to run hairy on the tips. The
‘tail is of tremendous size, and would weigh anything from
6 lbs. to 10 lbs. according to the general condition of the
‘animal. ,
| OOSEEMI SHEEP

The name is derived from the village of Ooseem, Gizeh. A
.general purpose sheep, and the most popular breed in Egypt.
‘The body is white, skin white, but the points are more or less
-of a brown or reddish colour. The wool is shorter and finer
than that of the above-mentioned sheep, and it fetches the
highest price of Egyptian wools. The sheep is compact, and
stands on fairly short legs, consequently the carcases always
look well, and the mutton commands a good price. Rams of
this breed are eagerly sought after. The Ooseemi and its
crosses are met with throughout Egypt and Palestine and in
parts of Sinai. The tail is very broad and very fat, with a
short, curly, attenuated appendage.

SUDANI SHEEP

This goat-like sheep is the most interesting. I am acquainted
with a stuffed specimen of the ancient Moufflon breed, which
is considered by some authorities to be the progenitor of the
Spanish Merinos, and indirectly of our Australian Merinos, but
the Sudani breed is the real missing link in sheep history as
far as appearances would seem to indicate. At the Cairo
abattoirs the writer made a close examination of a few speci-
mens of this unique breed. They stand higher than any sheep
L,have. seen—3 ft. to 3 ft. 3 in. on the rump, which is always
2 or 3 in. higher than the wither ; moreover, this measurement

284 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

was practically on the skin. The legs are extremely long, thin,
and badly fleshed. The barrel is gaunt, flat-sided, narrow-
chested, no depth, and the spine projects. The head is un-
commonly large and ugly, with protruding eye sockets, aquiline
nose, and, as with other breeds, long lop ears. The neck is
very long and thin, and the head is usually supported hanging
down, close to the ground. The tail is long, and tapers to the
tip, which usually brushes the ground. The sheep may be a
patch-work colour scheme of black, fawn, brown, and white,
generally two at atime. Its covering is the nearest approach
to donkey’s hair I have seen. In length it is about an inch on
the body, but increases to 3 or 4 inches on the tail and lower
breeches. In winter this hair covering is supplemented by a
growth of very fine and soft short wool, equal in texture to
ordinary Merino. This supplementary growth was more in
evidence over the loins, and at the time of the writer’s inspec-
tion, early summer, the cobweb-like fibres were already coming
away from the skin. This reminds one of early sheep evolution.
The Sudani “ wool ” is set down as worthless. The flocks of |
this breed are so scattered, and the quantity of actual wool
from each sheep is so small (only three or four ounces) that it
is impracticable to obtain sufficiently large quantities to be
marketable. Our soldiers refer to these sheep in many cases
“as the goats which the Indian troops eat.”

Incidentally it might be mentioned that in all Egyptian
abattoirs sheep after slaughter are blown up by hand-bellows,
the nozzle of which is inserted through a small slit made in the
skin on the inside of the hind leg. The air does not escape,
and the sheep’s form swells to huge proportions. Arab boys
apparently delight to beat the inflated, forms with sticks in
order to loosen the pelt from the superficial fascia. Without
this treatment some of the sheep are as hard to skin as suburbap
tom-cats. The skin of the Sudani breed is very thick, and the
pelts are more valuable than those of other breeds.

Animal fat is very scarce in this country, and a strong
prejudice exists against a sheep without a fat tail, which is
almost an essential to the sheep’s existence under local environ-
ment. In times of plenty fat is stored up on the tail, and when
food is scarce it is said that the sheep absorbs more or less of

EGYPT AND SOUTHERN PALESTINE 285

this fat into the system. Similar fat-tailed breeds are found
in Mesopotamia, Persia. Turkestan, and India.

MANAGEMENT

The fundamental laws of stock-breeding are not very widely
known in this country. The Arab is so ignorant in this re-
spect, and knows so little about wool and conformation, that
only very simple standards can be set him as a hint to the
purity of any breed. He is guided chiefly by colour. One
hundred sheep are considered a big flock for an irrigationist,
and the average area held by native proprietors is approxi-
mately four acres. Those who possess very small flocks can
hire rams or send their ewes away for service.

On the farm Jands there are no fences. In Southern, Pales-
tine the boundary between neighbouring properties may be a
shallow ditch, a cactus hedge, or an imaginary line linking up
clusters of bulb plants set at regular intervals. The land is
devoid of timber. On the irrigation plots of the Nile valley
the boundaries are merely narrow footways, and on, these areas
flocks must be shepherded always. It is a common, practice
to graze sheep by moonlight in order to avoid the fierce heat
of day. It is only during short periods in the year that there
is nothing to graze, or that it would be impossible to prevent
harm to some growing crop by so grazing ; then the sheep are
closely packed in “‘ zeribas,” fashioned generally of palm leaves.
Here in these enclosures a mere sustenance diet of grain is
doled out. <A zeriba may be a few miles away from the farmer’s
irrigation, plot, as no space may be available any nearer.

For most of the year sheep have access periodically to
bersim (a clover fodder crop like lucerne), weeds, cotton, leaves,
the stubbles of wheat and barley, and, in fact, the residue of
all crops after harvest. By the way, there is very little lucerne
grown in Egypt. Sometimes there is much vociferous argu-
ment among shepherds for the couch grass grazing along the
banks of the main irrigation channels.

We cannot be sure of the normal conditions of sheep-farming
in Southern Palestine, but we are certain that sheep are kept
only as an adjunct to agriculture. One can only describe what
one has seen of the remnants of the flocks about the villages

286 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

since military occupation. The boundary between Egypt and
Palestine, which meets the coast line at Rajah, is a well-defined
line of demarcation between typical desert country on the
south and poor agricultural land on the immediate north.
From Khan Yunis almost to Beersheba we saw one vast crop
of barley, for the most part, and the first green country for
over a year. All were enraptured, but its agricultural possi-
bilities and carrying capacity under grazing are apt to be con-
siderably overestimated. This country was “* milk and honey.”
as compared with the sand-dunes of Sinai over which we had
ridden. .

The growing season and green season are short ; the grasses
are few and of poor variety. A grass of the couch family
appears to be the foundation, and this, if not eaten out by
stock, would alone remain after the rest had dried and had been
blown away. This applies to the country south of the Gaza-
Beersheba line. Further north the country gets very rough
and stony in places, but there are little flats and hillside
terraces of very rich black soil, capable of growing almost
anything. The best grazing country was found on the plateau
east of the Jordan valley and between, Es-salt and Amman.

The rainfall of Cairo is 2 in. per annum ; in Sinai and on the
irrigation areas it is practically nil. Gaza, on the coast, is said
to enjoy an annual average of 14 in. ; the rainfall is probably
about 10 in. further south and inland. North of Beersheba
the rainfall increases. The rainy season is short and seldom
fails. Water is very scarce, and on account of the great
surface evaporation artificial ground tanks, as we make them
in Riverina, would not hold out. The Arabs have installed a
system of stone and cement cisterns, bottle-necked in shape,
and built so that the tops are flush with the ground. During
the rainy season the storm waters are directed into these
reservoirs, which vary in capacity from 10,000 gals. to about _
35,000 gals. There may be three or four families drawing their —
domestic supplies from one large cistern, and in addition a
couple of hundred domestic animals might have to be watered
therefrom throughout the year. As these cisterns are filled
but once a year it is obvious that the water must be very care-
fully fostered. Even in summer sheep and goats are seldom

EGYPT AND SOUTHERN PALESTINE 287

watered more than once in three days in these dry areas of
Southern Palestine. There are no permanent streams south,
of the Dead Sea. Along the Wadi Ghuzzeh there are shallow
pools, which remain, at a certain, level on account of the filtra-
tion of water through the sandy bottom and from the precipi-
tous banks. These sources of supply were invaluable to our
Light Horse. One seldom sees a pump or any labour-saving
devices on the farms.

The wheat straw and barley straw are conserved in shallow
circular pits, and ensilage making has been practised in this
country from time immemorial.

Sheep are not earmarked or de-tailed. The testes of ram
lambs are crushed, and development of the organ, ceases.

The general season. for shearing in Egypt is July. The
sheep is held in various positions by a couple of natives, and
the wool is hacked off generally by rough-looking native-made
blades. Some farmers who are near the main wrigation
channels swim their sheep a day or two prior to shearing. A
few breeds are shorn twice, and are also lambed twice during
the year. Wool is always sold through a middleman, who
usually ships to England, and makes an unfair margin of
profit. Collecting depots are established throughout the land.

In Sinai one of the most interesting and extraordinary sights
is the little market-place right out in the open desert, where
Bedouins, as if responding to some “ mulga ” wire, congregate
periodically to sell and exchange their products. Very little
money changes hands ; most of the business is on the basis of
“ fair, exchange no robbery.” Sheep, donkeys, etc., are ex-
changed for wheat, barley, maize, etc. ; bargains are pressed
to the last grain.

ENVIRONMENT

The environment of the desert will not permit of much im-
provement in sheep. To pack much more wool on the breeds
found here would be to impair that extraordinary goat-like
constitution, which enables these sheep to live out in the
blazing sun, travelling all the while for days without water in
search of food.

On the irrigation areas there is certainly room for better

288 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

sheep, not necessarily introduced breeds, but better conformed
types of the fat-tailed breeds, if farmers would not try to keep
more sheep than they can feed properly.

The Australian on Jeave is familiar with the scavenger sheep
of the market-places and town streets. This lucky sheep is
made the pet of the children ; he has the run of some filthy
domicile, and under such contentment grows big and fat in a
very short time.

I know of no more picturesque scene, typically Egyptian,
and representing the very essence of rural simplicity, than
that of a huge water buffalo browsing in clover and supporting
(forgetful of his presence) a half-nude native child lying full
out on the buffalo’s back, on guard over the little flock, too
contented to move for an hour.

PROSPECTS

Stock-raising countries are faced with the fact that flocks
and herds of the world in general are decreasing, whereas the
demand for wool and meat is ever growing. Egypt is not a
big meat-eating country ; mutton and beef are rather the
foods of its very rich folk. The number of sheep annually
slaughtered at the Cairo abattoirs averages about 270,000,
and this figure represents 82 per cent of the total number of
all animals treated there. The big meat-eating white popula-
tions of Europe are at Egypt’s doors, and the great quantities
of fodder which could be produced on the irrigation blocks of

this wonderfully fertile Nile valley suggest almost convinc- ~

ingly that lamb-raising and mutton-raising would be payable
propositions. Let us look into existing conditions. Apart
from the smallness of the recognised living area, another draw-
back is that there is no grazing country or even open spaces
adjacent to each irrigation block where sheep could be yarded
and hand-fed. It is all or nothing here. It would be absolutely
essential to tax the growing capacity of the land to its utmost,
and to plant only the most suitable fodder crops in season.
This would mean doing away altogether with the cotton crop
and the sugar-cane crops, the two staple crops of Egypt.
Then, again, the native breeds of sheep are unsuitable for

EES ia

EGYPT AND SOUTHERN PALESTINE 289

export. It is very improbable then that sheep will ever super-
sede cotton in Egypt, but as an adjunct to good agricultural
methods the sheep is destined to remain.

Sinai will ever be a ‘no man’s land.”” Now we come to the
open downs of Southern Palestine. There are, perhaps, many
aspiring Palestine squatters in the ranks of the Australian
Light Horse.

As in Egypt, so in Palestine, grain is more in demand as a
commodity of trade than wool and meat. Wheat and berley
can be put in and harvested so cheaply ; there is an abundance
of cheap native adult and child labour, so that the poorest
fields show a profit. Under Turkish maladministration there
was no freehold land other than house sites and small garden
plots, and of the so-called leasehold land the lessee had no
security of tenure, and the Government could walk in at any
time, hence we see no improvements, no fences, no water
schemes, no plantations of trees, and few houses other than
those dilapidated mud huts dotting the landscape. Under
new British land laws settlement will be encouraged, and cereal
growing should make big strides. Sheep will continue an ad-
junct to dry farming, but under better conditions the breeds
should improve. The squatter idea will be cut right out; it
is unlikely that large areas will be held solely for grazing.
Holdings will be fenced. It is almost certain that good supplies
of artesian and sub-artesian water will be tapped throughout
the country. Proper surveys will be made, and new roads and
railways will cross the land,

For the identification of these native breeds of sheep and their
local geographical distribution I am indebted to G. C. Dud-
geon, Esq., and Mohammed Askar Effendi, of the Ministry of
Agriculture.

NIGERIA

Ir is now some three years since the immense cattle reserves
existing in Nigeria began to be discovered and appreciated.
This appreciation first came from a man who travelled two and
a half years in the cattle regions of Nigeria and a short way over
the borders into French, and what were previously German,
colonies. This was Mr. Speed, a man of wide experience, who
not only carefully collected data from interviews with resi-
dents, district officials, and the more important chiefs, but also
put his observations to the test in a practical way. He found
that there were not less than five million head of cattle. Be-
sides Sir Frederick Lugard, the Governor-General, Mr. Speed
saw Mr. Bonar Law and Sir A. Steel-Maitland on this matter,
with a view to securing adequate reserves of land to allow for
collecting and fattening prior to railing to Lagos. This was
the first step necessary for capital to be put up to secure ss
erection of refrigerators, etc.

As a result of his energies, arrangements were made between
the Nigerian Company, Miller Brothers, and the African, Asso-
ciation to finance the enterprise as occasion arose, and Mr.
Speed went to Nigeria again to carry out the initial steps.
Unfortunately he died soon after reaching Nigeria. Nothing
has been done since the removal by death of this forceful per-
sonality, who from long experience in Australia and Rhodesia,
was a great judge of cattle, who had, moreover, accumulated a
vast deal of information regarding conditions in Nigeria, and
had actually experimented on a fair scale in fattening cattle
before railing them to Lagos. This man could, without doubt,
have guided into existence a vast enterprise, had he lived. An
able man whom Mr. Speed sent out, a Canadian, Mr. Claude P.
Evans, has spent over a year covering the ground previously —

290

Caden

NIGERIA 291

traversed by Mr. Speed, and fully confirms all his findings.
Undoubtedly there is in the country a great natural cattle
reservoir, and in view of the growing scarcity of meat, it is to
be hoped that steps will be taken by British enterprise to
foster this new and great source of supply.

Group oF StuD HEREFORD Cows AT THE RoyAL Farm, WINDSOR, ENGLAND

ABYSSINIA, SOMALILAND, AND THE
CAMEROONS

with more oF less native stock, which are all open to improve- a
La

ment. On the high and healthy plateaux of these countries —
there is ample feed for stock, and the climate is excellent, — ‘f '

292 Aiea \

CHINA

As new countries enter the frozen meat exporting arena,
and China amongst them, Hongkong, which has long been a
meat producer, may be expected to come to the fore. Last
year, for example, her meat product exports to the United
States of America were valued at £28,000, as against only
£15,000 in the previous year ; while she also sent meat to the
Philippines valued at £78,084, as against £96,762 worth in
1916. Frozen beef figured among her exports to the Philip-
pines, although this ceased with the rise in the exchange which
later eventuated. With the return of exchange to a normal
level, the comparatively low price of meats in the immediate
neighbourhood and the comparatively low cost of labour will
doubtless make it practically impossible for American packers
to compete with local interests save only in fine and special
products.

The Hongkong Dairy Farm Company, Limited, for a con-
siderable period has been experimenting with the packing of
meats of different sorts for use in outports and aboard ship,
including the tinning of beef and various'meat products. It
is now announced that the business has passed the experimental
stage, and that the concern is arranging to can meats upon a
large scale. Already the company has secured practically
entire control of the trade in hams, bacon, and similar goods
along the China coast, and its goods have been successfully
shipped to other parts of the world, including Great Britain.

It has been found by repeated experiments that conditions
in the meat-packing trade in this field are vastly different in
every way from those in Europe and the United States. The
work done in Hongkong so far has been under the superintend-
ence of a British meat expert of many years’ experience, and
practically everything undertaken on the basis of British prac-
tice has been a failure there until methods meeting conditions

293

294 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

in Hongkong were worked out. Such an undertaking as the
one now being developed is likely to have an important bearing
upon the sale of tinned American meats in that field.

Refrigerated steamers are shortly to be put on the route
between San Francisco and Tientsin to carry beef from the
Shantung and Honan provinces of China. The beef from these
provinces is of excellent quality, and far and away the best in
China. The quality of this Chinese beef compares, according
to statements made by the veterinary of the American troops
stationed at Tientsin, very favourably with the Australian
beef, while the Russian authorities prefer it by far to the latter.
The United States troops in the Philippines are being supplied
with Chinese beef.

Recently several large steamers flying the French flag
landed frozen beef at Port Said and Kantura from China. It
was Manchurian beef of very excellent quality.

al

SIBERIA

SIBERIA was, prior to the war, advancing as an important
factor in live-stock production. Petropavlovsk, on the trans-
Siberian railway, was the centre of an immense cattle-breeding
district, and consignments of beef have been made from that
region. The number of cattle there rose from 360,000 in 1903
to 770,000 in 1909, and subsequently the advance has con-
tinued. _Mutton will also be largely exported when the new
ways of communication provide means of tapping the great
outlying pasture lands, and as a proof of their importance the
official returns show 2,000,000 sheep in Kirghiz Steppes, and
1,300,000 sheep in Akmolinsk, both areas being capable of
greater development. In respect to such progress, however,
the trans-Siberian railway, whilst traversing a rich pastoral
zone, leaves some hundreds of miles to the south, said to be
the most fertile lands of Siberia. The cattle-breeding industry
there awaits the impulse of railway communication and
settled government. Pig-breeding is of special importance. -
thanks to cheap and abundant food supplied by dairies in
the Kurgan district, whence large quantities of bacon and
pork are exported annually ; but the inadequacy of railway
transit prevents, for the present, an extension of that trade.

An English firm has erected meat works at Barawei. Re-
frigerators have been erected at Semipalatinsk, and works are
contemplated at Omsk. Stock and game are abundant and
cheap, and the climate is favourable for the frozen meat trade,
but what effect the last four years have had remains to be seen ;
however, new blood may make things progress after the war
is Over.

The vast region of Asiatic Russia is practically a new country
in cattle-raising, and has possibilities too numerous to be esti-
mated. From 1905 to 1911 the number of cattle increased
from 5,600,000 to 14,700,000. Russia was proposing to’ go in

295

Py
‘ ry

296 THE WORLD'S MEAT FUTURE Bs:
very langely for mechanical refrigeration directly after the war.
Numbers of cold storage buildings were to be erected in the :
principal cattle-growing districts, and receiving stations os Ai
cold storage facilities were to be installed.
I had intended visiting this country, and had received es
passport from Earl Grey and letters from the Russian Govern-

ment, when the war broke out, and I had to cancel the pag Bt be

a
,

¢
4

“4 a
par!
‘i
1

Me

‘ 1

8)

THE PACIFIC ISLANDS

THERE are several large areas in, the Pacific Ocean where cattle-
raising has been for years a successful industry, and at times

ZEBU BULL FROM SOUTHERN INDIA AND NOW IN SOLOMON ISLANDS
ON THE MALAGTA PLANTATION

of scarcity in Australia some very fine cattle have been mar-
keted from Fiji and New Caledonia. On one island in the
Fiji Group there has been for many years a very large herd of

297

298 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

Hereford cattle, and every year stud bulls of that breed have
been purchased in Australia.

The cattle fatten rapidly on the ‘Sensitive’ plant, and
obtain quick maturity. The drawback has been always the want
of markets for the disposal of the bullocks. The peninsula, of
about 100,000 acres, with rich pasture, on the French island of
Tahiti, in the Windward Group, is an ideal spot for cattle-
raising, and should be able easily to supply with beef all the
ships calling there, and at times have a surplus for export.
The same sensitive plant is to be found in luxuriance all over
the island. Again, the Sandwich Group, of which Honolulu is
the main port, has many cattle owners, and cattle do excellently
there.

New Caledonia is a country of great possibilities. As a
cattle-raising colony this French possession has a great future.
There are already three meat preserving works there, two of —
them being operated by Australian capital.

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JAPAN

THE Japanese Department of Agriculture and Commerce is
spending 30,000 yen (about £3000) annually on the rearing of
sheep. This commenced in the financial year 1916-17. About
200 head of sheep have been purchased from England, and
others from Australia and New Zealand, and kept on the
pastures at Tsukisamushu, Hokkaido.

Should these renewed experiments in, sheep-raising in, Japan
prove remunerative the authorities will take steps for the en-
couragement of this branch of agriculture among farmers.
The Japanese authorities are apparently convinced that sheep-
raising in Japan, will turn out successful, but it should be re-
membered that much depends on the demand for mutton,
which is not an accepted article of food in Japan.

301

INNOVATION IN MUTTON STOWAGE

33 PER CENT SAVING IN SPACE

THE accompanying illustrations show how mutton is dealt
with to save space. The carcase is treated as follows: The

P|

Fic. 1 Fic. 2
The top half inserted Showing where the

sideways in the lower, carcase is cut,

iegs down.

INNOVATION IN MUTTON STOWAGE 303

mutton is placed on the rail and chilled for 18 to 24
hours. It is then cut into two pieces across the loin, the
trunk falling to the floor and remaining in an upright posi-
tion. The hind portion is placed sideways legs down into the
trunk, and then frozen in the upright position. After freezing
it is bagged and stored. Mutton treated in this manner, it is
estimated, save from 25 per cent to 30 per cent in space, and
much more weight can be got in a given space. It really means
increasing the capacity of steamers and cold stores to a similar
large extent.

DIPPING CATTLE

THE BENEFIT AND PRACTICABILITY OF DrppING CATTLE ON ~
LARGE HOLDINGS

Mr. E. E. D. Wurre, of Bluff Down, North Queensland, writes
me as follows :—

“ It is over twenty years since ticks first made their appear-
ance in the Burdekin waters, when we lost up to 60 per cent of
our cattle from tick fever. Those that survived and their
progeny became immune from the fever, and the immunity re-
mains with the cattle on all country that continues to be
badly infected with ticks. So there are practically no losses
from fever now. But the extent of the loss we sustain annually =
through tick worry is not generally realised. Although most
cattle stations now have dips, with very few exceptions, no
systematic and methodical attempts have been made to deal x
effectively with this pest. 4

* After ten years’ trial here we can emphatically say that in :
badly infested areas no investment offers such a reliable and +

2
;
/

~ oe

quick return as money spent on dips and dipping.

“To gauge in some degree the extent of the loss we are sus-
taining, compare the number of cattle carried on these runs
before and after the coming of the tick. The average is
now about half that of former times. Convert that into terms
of money to realise the loss to the community and State. ;

“It is impracticable at the present time to talk of eradica-
tion, because of the impossibility of getting financial aid from
the State and the high cost of fencing. But the Americans
have proved it possible by clearing 475,000 square” miles
between 1906, when the work was first undertaken there
seriously, up to March, 1916. This task must be faced by us
later, and because the conditions we will have to work under

30

DIPPING: CATTLE 305

may make this harder, it cannot be shelved indefinitely on, that
score. However, what concerns us vitally in the meantime is
the necessity of suppressing the ticks and doing away with
much of the poverty and mortality to stock now being caused
by them. To undertake this work each one making the attempt
will very soon have his own experience to guide him, but a few
suggestions may not come amiss to those about to start.

“ First, put in a good wide dip 6 ft. across at water line.
This reduces all risks of cattle injuring each other to a mini-
mum, and has every advantage over the narrow dip when
working big mobs of cattle. With a good incline and big wide
steps on the walk out, the weakest cattle can be dipped with
little risk. The draining yard should be long, and from 8 ft.
to 12 ft. wide. The cattle walk to the far end, and stand quietly
without horning and knocking each other about. Dips should
be arranged in such positions on the run that the cattle will
not be driven more than, 7 or 8 miles.

“The number of cattle that can be worked through one dip
depends entirely on the carrying capacity of any particular
area. But on the tableland, so far, we have found about 2000
the limit without having to drive too far. How often, cattle
should be dipped depends upon the nature of the country, for
whereas on certain runs on, the Upper and Lower Burdekin it.
is found necessary to dip every three weeks through the year,
there are other places within the tick-infested area that find
an, occasional dipping suffices. In this men must be guided by
their own experience. It is a bad policy to wait until the
hair is coming off the cattle. Taking this tableland country,
we find that after a good burning in the spring and rain follow-
ing in November and December, the ticks are not much in
evidence until the following April. It is not possible to dip
regularly during the first three months owing to wet weather,
but by April the wet season is usually over. This is the time,
and from this on to July one can, get good results from dipping.
This is the very best time to work stock. The grass is good,
everything strong, and the weather coo], and the ticks if un-
checked are increasing at a great rate. Don’t delay until the
country is infested ; catch them early while the cattle are
strong and healthy, and keep the ticks off and the condition on,

306 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

and give the breeders a chance to weather a severe winter and
dry spring. One dipping then is worth more than four in August.

“It is often contended that the losses from dipping weak
cattle outweigh any gain. Our experience is quite the reverse.
We never stopped dipping all through the 1915 drought, and
not ten head stopped in the dip. Each dipping gave them a new
lease of life, and we saved most of our breeders by it. Others
say it is impossible to dip bullocks while fattening. This is
wrong. It not only quietens them, and makes them better to
drove, but improves their condition and weight. It is not ad-
visable to put cattle on the road immediately after dipping.
They should have at least five days’ rest-in paddocks. Calves
can be dipped from two weeks of age upwards, but the strength
of the dip should be less than the accepted standard. Although
almost as much benefit can be derived from dipping on, big
unfenced runs, better results can naturally be obtained where
they are subdivided and not more than 1000 to 1500 cattle
carried in one paddock. This allows the mustering to be done
cleanly and systematically. Where eight stockmen used to
look after up to 20,000 clean cattle formerly with fair success,
it requires treble the hands, at least, to work and dip effec-
tively that number now. Six men can attend to 3000 or 4000
head. Bullocks require about one-third the attention that
breeders do. Where no shoeing of horses is done (which in-
volves a big addition to the work on basalt country) this esti-
mate may not apply.

“ Now to meet this big increase in working stock under these
conditions—allow we save half the cows that die on the average
annually from tick worry. This mortality on the tableland is
about 80 per cent of the total females branded each year. The
balance of 20 per cent (over the actual numbe1 if returns were
forthcoming) are those cows sold and killed for beef. On a
holding branding 2000 calves, instead of turning off 200 cows,
which very few do in that proportion, they should be marketing
at least 500. These extra 300 cows alone at present values
would more than compensate for all extra expenditure incurred.
Then take into consideration the holding would carry 50 per
cent more stock with all the additional returns for an increased
turn off and better class of bullocks.” :

|

a»

ae

ts in : 4 ;
PSS (Be, nF PER ee coin at Lever.

CATTLE TICK ERADICATION

OF course, there are many methods of tick eradication, used
either separately’or conjointly, the more important and more
generally known, however, being dipping, spraying, inocula-
tion, burning the pasture, and starvation methods, the soiling
method, the feedlot method, and the pasture rotation method.
These are some of the means at the disposal of the cattle-
owners, and a few words about each should be of interest and
value.

Before dealing with the remedies, however, the dangers of
the tick evil itself cannot be too strongly impressed. About
four years ago the Bureau of Animal Industry (U.S.A.) issued
a circular to stock-owners with a view to securing direct evi-
dence regarding the benefits derived from the tick eradication
work carried on within the quarantine area. This circular took
the form of a number of questions which are given, herewith
with some of the summarised answers. They afford most im-
pressive evidence, not only of enormous losses prevented, but
also of immense gains obtained by the dipping of animals for
ridding them of ticks. A

In reply to the question, “What were the approximate
annual losses of cattle from tick fever in your county from 1900
to 1909 inclusive ? ” the summarised answer was: “ 15-3 per
cent,” and this was followed by the query : “What has been
the annual loss of cattle from tick fever since tick eradication
started ?”” The answer—1-3 per cent—compared with the 15-3
per cent in reply to the first question, shows that tick eradica-
tion, work resulted in the losses being reduced almost to vanish-
ing point. The next two questions brought forth the informa-
tion that whereas from 1900 to 1909 inclusive the average
value of three-year-old steers was 16-15 dollars (67s. 3d.), in
1912, i.e. between two and three years after the commence-

307

308 DIPPING CATTLE

ment of tick eradication work, it amounted to 25-28 dollars
(105s. 4d.). In comparing these two amounts, however, allow-
ance has to be made for the general advance in the price of
cattle, but even when this is done, the price shows an, appre-
ciation of 40 per cent, which can be properly credited to the
absence of the tick.

Two more questions and their replies may be quoted :—* Is

Ox SKIN, SHOWING Gross TIcK INFESTATION

there any difference in the average weight of the cattle now and
before tick eradication was started ? How much?” Answer:
‘Yes. Average increase 22 per cent. Average weight in-
crease, 116 Ibs.” Taking the value of the animals at 1?d. per
lb. (the average for three-year-old steers in U.S.A.), the average
gain thus works out at about 16s. 8d. per head. Finally, the
reply to the question: “Is there any improvement in the
grades ot cattle in your country since the work of tick eradica-
tion was started ?”’ was practically a unanimous affirmative.

CATTLE TICK ERADICATION 309

These reports indicate very striking results, and the comment of
a correspondent of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is worth
quoting : “ With the prospect of tick eradication, the raising
of cattle is springing into life. In years gone by, with the tick
depopulating bunches of cattle, there was no money to be made
in raising cattle. With the present outlook, men are fencing
their lands, and there is sharp competition for every heifer or
cow that can be bought. If our authorities will pass a tick
‘law, and see that it is rigidly enforced, we can clear out the
ticks in twelve months.”

To return to the remedies, dipping is undoubtedly the best
method of eradication, provided an, efficient dip be used.

Dr. Theiler (South Africa) has stated that the eradication of
ticks by starvation ““ must undoubtedly lead to success in every
case where we are able to keep the place, for a sufficient length
of time, free from such animals as act as hosts,” and that a
period of fourteen months would be a safe one to adopt in
attempting the eradication, of the red, brown, and Bont ticks
in South Africa by the starvation method. Careful experi-
ments made at Gonubie Park, Cape Province, showed, however,
that a fenced-in area of 160 acres, from which all stock had been
excluded for twenty-one months, at the end of that period was
still infested with a considerable number of ticks, and no doubt
would have remained so indefinitely, owing to the insufficient
barrier presented to the ticks by the fencing, and to the impos-
sibility of excluding wild game. The conclusions drawn from
these experiments, which included also grass burning, are that
the starvation method reduces the number of ticks, and if com-
‘bined with burning, still further reduces it, but that the method
fails to eradicate the ticks, and is inferior to a System of dipping
at regular intervals with an efficient dip. Burning doubtless
destroys a number of ticks if it is done when they are on the
top of the grass, but pasturage is usually such a scarce and
valuable commodity in this country that burning it is rather
too drastic aremedy. Also in regard to the starvation method
it must be remembered that there are practical difficulties in
the way of enclosing Jarge areas so as to prevent ground game
or birds gaining access to it, and bringing in ticks, besides
acting as hosts to the ticks already on the ground,

310. | THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

With dipping and starvation combined, the ticks which get
on the cattle are being killed off, and simultaneously those ticks
which do not find a host are dying of starvation. Also, if a
suitable dip be chosen, the ticks which get on immediately after
dipping die. In other words, dipping means quick destruction
of a certain proportion of the ticks, combined with the slower.
process of starvation of the remainder.

TICK-FREE
CULTIVATED CROPPED CROPPED CROPPED
1 GROUND FIELO FIELO FIELO

PASTURE

COOBLE FENCE

3 a 5

TICK-FREE
CULTIVATED PASTURE
GROUND

FORAGE
FIELD

In the United States, where Texas fever, or redwater, is the
only tick-borne cattle disease that troubles the stock farmer,

the starvation method is said to have been practised with

success.

The Soiling Method.—This is based upon the following data -
The time required for the female tick to lay eggs and the latter
to hatch—i.e. the time spent on the ground—is rarely less than _
three weeks, and the time required by the seed ticks to mature _
on the cattle is from twenty to forty-five days.

CATTLE TICK ERADICATION 311

When the tick-infested cattle are to be cleaned it is recom-
mended that they be kept in a small tick-free enclosure for
three weeks, when many of the ticks will have fallen off. They
should then be removed to another similar enclosure for another
three weeks. After this, they should be examined, and, if
found free from ticks, they may be put on non-infested pasture
at once. If, however, any ticks are observed, the cattle should
be placed in a third enclosure for another two weeks.

By this time the youngest ticks that were on the cattle at
the start will have matured and dropped off, and, as the
animals are removed from each pen before they could have
become reinfested by the seed ticks hatched from the eggs of
the females that fell off, they are tick-free. It is clear that the
enclosures cannot be used repeatedly for the purpose without
thoroughly cleansing them from ticks. It should be noted that
this method, as described, is only suitable for dealing with the
tick which carries the redwater organism, which requires to
pass through the egg stage in its progress from host to host.

The Feed-lot Method.—This method is based upon the same
considerations in regard to the life-history of the tick as the
last. To put it into practice, a field on which forage has been
sown is taken, and within it three separate enclosures or “ feed-
lots’ are made, as shown in the diagram. The tick-infested
cattle are removed from their customary pasture, and placed
in one of these enclosures for twenty days, then transferred to
the next for another twenty days, when, in most cases, they
will be free of ticks, and can be turned into the forage field. If,
however, ticks are still present, the cattle are placed in the
third enclosure for fifteen days more, before being passed into
the forage field.

All ticks which were on the animals when, placed in the feed-
lots will, by this time, have dropped off, and the feed-lots are
at once ploughed, their edges sprayed with Beaumont oil or
other tick-destroying agent, and the soil cultivated. The cattle
are kept on the forage till some five months after they were
drawn from the pasture, by which time the latter has lost its
ticks by starvation, and the cattle may then be returned to it.
It is essential that the feed-lots be enclosed by a fence, board-
tight along the ground, to keep the ticks out of the forage field,

312 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

\

and it is recommended that a furrow be thrown up on both
sides of the fence for the same purpose. The feed-lots should be
situated at the boundary of the field, so that the cattle may pass
from one to the other over the adjoining tick-free ground.

The Pasture Rotation Method.—The infected pasture is
divided into two parts by a double line of fencing 10 ft. apart.
All tick-infested animals are excluded from the first half of the
pasture, from lst June to 10th November, thereby rendering it
tick-free. The tick-infested cattle are placed on the second
half, where they are kept from Ist June to 10th September.
They are then partly cleaned of ticks by putting them in a
cultivated field, cleared of its crop, for twenty days. The partly
cleaned cattle are then removed to a second cultivated field,

where the remaining ticks will fall off within twenty days, but

if any remain they are transferred to a third field for a like
period. On 10th November the clean cattle are returned to
the first half of the pasture, which by this time has become
free from ticks. Here they are kept till May, by which time the
ticks in the second half have perished. The final result is that
both pasture and cattle are free from ticks.

A single female tick may lay as many as 5000 eggs, and her
progeny may, in the course of seven months, come to number
6,750,000,000 individuals. It has been calculated that one
beast may, as a result of tick infestation, lose as much as 500
lbs. of blood in a season. This is quite credible when the fact
is borne in mind that a female tick, fully gorged with blood,
weighs thirty times more than, before it began to engorge. No
less than 28 lbs. of ticks were taken from a horse which died
from anemia resulting from gross tick infestation. A beast,
badly infested, weighed 730 lbs. It was freed from ticks by
dipping, and two months later—its food and general treatment
remaining the same as before dipping—it had gained 285 lbs.
Newly hatched ticks can live as long as eight months without
food, even during the colder season. In one experiment, cows —
badly infested with ticks produced 424 per cent Jess milk than
cows kept free from ticks. 7

Finally, the total annua] loss sustained as a result of ticks
in the United States is set down in the official year book as
100,000,000 dollars, or nearly £21,000,000,

DEHORNING CATTLE

“In the Argentine very large numbers of the cattle bred for
slaughter are dehorned in, their youth, with a view, of course,
of saving injury when transporting takes place from ranch to
freezer. In Australia this has not been done, consequently
considerable losses have been attributed to injury by the horns
of animals which are driven or transported to the freezer.

“Tt is well known that polled cr dehorned cattle can be
managed and fattened with gieater facility than horned
animals, and that, where a consignment consists solely of horn-
less cattle, the animals can be conveyed by sea or land with
less danger of sustaining injury whilst in transit. The opinion
of salesman and feeders of experience in the cattle trade is to
the effect that steers for export, when horned, require more
space in railway wagons, on board ships and in the market-
place, that they receive more injury in transit, and that they
are worth from 10/— to 15/— per head less than hornless cattle-

“The practice of dehorning cattle by sawing off or other-
wise entirely removing the horns after they are partly or fully
grown appears to inflict great pain upon the animals, and may
even. be the cause of death. A method of preventing the growth
of the borns is by the application of caustic potash to the horn
buds of young calves. If performed in the manner set out
below, and with proper regard to the precautions which follow,
the operation is comparatively painless, and can be done
quickly and with ease :—

“Clip the hair from the top of the horn when the calf is
from two to five days old. Slightly moisten the end of a stick
of caustic potash with water (or moisten the top of the horn
bud), and rub the tip of each horn firmly with the potash for
about a quarter of a minute, or until a slight impression has
been made on the centre of the horn. The horn should be

313

314 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

treated in this way from two to four times at intervals of five —
minutes. sr,

“ Tf during the interval of five minutes after one or more
applications a little blood appears in the centre of the horn, it
will then only be necessary to give another very slight rubbing
with the potash. .

* The following directions should be carefully observed :—

‘1. The operation is best performed when the calf is under
five days old, and should not be attempted after the ninth day.

* 2. Caustic potash can be obtained from any chemist in, the
form of a white stick. When not in use, it should be kept in
a stoppered glass bottle in a dry place, as it rapidly deteriorates
when, exposed to the air.

* 3. One man should hold the calf while an assistant uses
the caustic.

“4. A piece of tinfoil or brown paper should be rolled round
the end of the stick of caustic potash which is held by the
fingers, so as not to injure the hand of the operator.

5. The stick should not be moistened too much, or the
caustic may spread to the skin around the horn and destroy
the flesh. For the same reason the calf should be kept from
getting wet for some days after the operation.

“6. Care should be taken to rub on the centre of the horn,

and not round the side of it.” (Weddel & Co., Ltd., to The
Transvaal Landowners’ Association. ) ’

LIVE AND DRESSED WEIGHTS

THE National Provisioner, in, an interesting article, says :—

“ The census of the United States has provided average live
and dressed weights of meat animals killed in the wholesale
slaughtering and meat-packing industry, and these averages,
of course, are derived from an immense number of animals.
Information, is provided for 1899, 1904, and 1909.

“The average live weight of beeves, not including calves,
was 1069 lbs. in 1899, 1047 lbs. in 1904, and 1019 lbs. in, 1909.
This declining average may be due to the tendency to slaughter
steers at younger ages in recent years than formerly.

“The dressed weight of beeves also declined, the average
being 583 lbs. for 1899, 569 lbs. for 1904, and 543 Ibs. for 1909.

“ With diminishing live weight the percentage represented
by the dressed weight has declined, the percentage for 1899
was 54-5, for 1904 it was 54-3, and for 1909 it was 53-3 per cent.

“On the other hand, the live and dressed weights of calves
have increased. For the three years in order the average live
weight was 141, 167, and 168 lbs., and the average dressed
weight was 90, 103, and 105 lbs. But the dressed weight as a
percentage of live weight has declined since 1899. The ratios
for the three years are 63-8, 61-7, and 62-5 per cent respectively.

“Sheep and lambs are combined in the census statement,
and their average live weight for the three years was 84, 86, and
81 Jbs., while their average dressed weight was 43, 43, atid 41
lbs., constituting a fraction of live weight represented by 51-2,
50, and 50-6 per cent respectively.

“In, the export frozen and chilled beef trade of Argentina
the average weights of two forequarters and two hindquarters
are regarded as making the dressed weight of a beef animal.
Since these are mostly well-grown steers, the averages are high
compared with the average dressed weight of all cattle slaugh-

315

316 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

tered in the wholesale slaughtering industry. The Argentine —
export dressed weights of beef animals increased from 689 Ibs. —
in 1906 to 767 Ibs. in 1913. |
“A slaughter record in Queensland (Australia) provides”
average dressed weights of beef animals from 1903 to 1912
which ranged from 577 to 662 Ibs. Since 1904 the be ;
have, on the whole, declined. \
“The record for Uruguay presents a quite uniform series of
average dressed weights of beef caitle from 1905 to 1910 ; they —
ranged from 558 lbs. to 580 Ibs. 4
“ The dressed weight of export sheep and lambs in Argentina —
is considerably above the average in wholesale slaughtering-
houses in the United States. The Argentine average ranged
from 53 to 65 lbs. from 1906 to 1913. The cold storage mutton —
and lamb for supplying the Buenos Aires city market had a _
dressed weight that ranged from 37 to 45 lbs. from 1906 to —
1912,” 4

VENISON

THERE seems no reason why much wider use should not be
made of venison. It is an old trade, and before the war the
United States was a very large customer of Great Britain in
this respect. The Americans themselves have evidently been
looking round in other directions for a kindred supply, and a
State authority predicts that the day will soon come when
reindeer meat will be as common as beef or mutton in the
American markets, as the result of an, investigation into con-
ditions in Alaska. The meat will come from Alaska. It will
form the basis of a large packing industry, and will be shipped
in cold storage steamers and trains to every town in the United
States. There were in 1916 75,000 to 100,000 reindeer in that
territory. They are being handled under Government regula-
tions, and are doubling in number every two or three years.
At the present rate of increase there should be 1,000,000 in
1925. By 1931 the number should have increased to more
than 3,000,000, and five years later it might be almost
13,000,000. That will be only seventeen years from now, and
after that the increase should be such that reindeer meat will
probably be as cheap as any other in the American markets.

317

A STATISTICAL STUDY OF BODY WEIGHTS;
GAINS AND MEASUREMENTS OF STEERS
DURING THE FATTENING PERIOD

(In The United States Journal of Agricultural Research, 1917.) —

DurRinG the winter months of 1914-1915, 1915-1916, and 1916—
1917, a series of body measurements of steers were made at
the Pennsylvania Experiment Station, at the beginning and
close of feeding experiments, for three consecutive years, with

the purpose of determining the average body measurements of

two-year-old steers at the beginning and close of the fattening
period and the relationship of other definite body measure-
ments to each other, and to note those measurements that
could be used in selection, as a means of reducing the experi-
mental error in feeding experiments and a study of variation
in the measurements themselves. Another object was to find
out the correlation of gains to initial body measurements and
to changes in, body dimensions.

All measurements taken on a total of 216 animals divided
into seven lots each year are indicated in Table I. These steers
were relatively uniform as feeders, varying in market grades
from “* fair ” to “* choice,” the majority being “‘ good ” feeders ;
92 were Hereford grades, 84 Shorthorn grades, 18 Aberdeen
Angus grades, 7 Shorthorn « Hereford crosses, 3 Shorthorn x
Aberdeen-Angus crosses, and 3 Hereford « Aberdeen-Angus
crosses. In no case did a steer fail to show some infusion, of
improved beef blood. The average initial weight of the 216
steers was 900 pounds, with 700 and 1300 pounds as ex-
tremes. The steers were as uniform in quality, weight, and
condition as would ordinarily be obtained for feeding purposes.
Each year 60 steers were divided into five lots of 12 each,
selected with as much care for uniformity of weight, breeding,

condition, and quality as possible. The feeding of these various :

318

STATISTICAL STUDY OF BODY WEIGHTS 319

lots was done with rations affording very nearly the same
opportunity for gains in live weight and condition of flesh for
marketing.

Table I includes all records for the three years, while the
correlation tables include the data during the first two years.
All body measurements except circumferences were made with
the steel caliper; all circumferences were measured with a
steel tape graduated in inches. The probability of error in
measurements is a factor not considered, thus necessitating a
large number of measurements to reduce the probable error.

TABLE |.—Average initial and final measurements of two-year-

old steers fattened for market during a 140-day feeding period.

oe

| Initial measurement. || Final measuremeut. || Differenee
in Percentage
Measurement : :

Average mapas Average | esr eee

Pounds Pounds Pounds
GTA 55 coe ne eae goo. 112 216 | 1.188.398 || 288 286 32.02

Tiuches Inches Tnches
Width of head 8.832 216 9.112 0.280 3.16
Length of head 19.411 216 19.892 0.481 2.48
Length of neck . . 19.163 2 20.990 1.827 9.53
Width of shoulders 16.412 215 18.459 2.047 12.42
Width of front flank . 16.378 216 18.358 1,980 12.08
Width of paunch 23.612 216 26.101 2.489 10.54
Width of rear flank . . 19.527 216 22.744 3:27 16.42
Width of loin. - 13.984 216 15.958 1.974 14.11
Width of hips sae erie 17.662 216 19.254 1.592 9.01
Width of thurls (Hip joint) 17.204 215 18.533 1.329 772
Buttock to hip - - 18.366 216 19,622 1.2560 6.83
Depth, of chest nwt 26.730 || 215 27.789 1.059 3.96
Shoulder point to ground 33.033 216 34.311 1.278 3.86
Chest to ground. . : 22.876 216 24.013 0.237 1,03
Hind flank to ground 29.128 216 30.202 1.074 3.68
Hock to ground. . 20.795 204 20.914 0.119 0.57
Withers to ground. . 49.224 216 53-870 4.640 9.43
Hips to ground... . . 50.855 214 52.411 1.550 3.05
Shoulder to buttock . . 53-763 216 57-988 4.225 1.85
Circumference of chest. - 73.014 210 77.694 4.680 6.40
Circumference of paunch . 80,256 216 88.301 8.045 10,02
Circuinference of hind flank 71.364 216 78.085 732% 10.25
Circumference of muzzle . . 17.198 143 17.930 0.832 4.83

320 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

These 216 steers gained at the rate of 2-058 pounds daily
for 140 days.

The following average initial measurements show a marked
similarity: The length of head, length of neck, and width of
rear flank, which vary from 19-163 to 19-527 inches ; the width
of shoulder and front flank differ by only 0-034 inch ; the hips

and thurls (hip joint) in width are 17-682 inches and 17-204

inches, respectively ; and circumference of the body in the
region of the chest and hind flank are 73-014 and 71-364 inches
respectively. The height at the withers of a “ feeder ” steer is
1-631 Jess than the height at the hips. The length of body from
shoulder point to buttock is only 2-908 inches greater than the
greatest height at the hips.

The average measurements at the conclusion of the fatten-

ing period show similarity as follows: The length of head,
width of hips, and distance of buttock from hips varying
within 0-638 inch of each other ; the width of shoulder, front
flank, and thurls are almost identical ; and the circumference
of the chest and hind flank are more alike than their initial
measurements.

The height has increased more at the withers than at the
hips; thus a two-year-old steer changes his greatest height
from the hips to the withers while receiving market conditions.
In circumference the increase was greater for the hind flank
than for the chest ; thus the greater circumference of the chest
at the initial measurement becomes less than the cireumference
of the hind flank in the finished steer. In fattening, the greatest
width at paunch and the greatest depth of body at the chest
become more nearly alike, as shown by a difference of 3-118
inches at the initial measurement and 1-688 at the concluding
measurement.

In all cases the difference between the initial measurement
and the final measurement shows an increase in dimensions
due to the depositions of fat, muscular development, and
growth. The regions of the body covered by the greatest
amount of muscular development show greater increased
dimensions than those having less muscular covering.

In the regions where the growth would show the greater
relative influence the least changes take place, as shown in the

ee ee ee ee)

ue

Seten

1 eqh ante.

STATISTICAL STUDY OF BODY WEIGHTS 321

width of head, length of head, distance from chest to ground
and hock to ground. The greatest increase in width took place
in the hind flank rather than in the paunch, where it would
seem natural to have the greatest increase because of feed
capacity and condition. The thick layer of flesh and fat de-
posits in the region of the hind flank, together with the disten-
sion of this region of the body in a fattened steer, are respon-
sible for the greater width in this part of the body. The width
of loin, hips, thurls, shoulders, and front flank shows
changes in dimensions caused mainly by increased condition
of flesh.

The increase in height at the withers of 4-646 inches is not
all due to growth alone, a larger portion of this increase being
caused by the flesh covering over the withers and the deposi-
tion of fat in the muscular tissues of the shoulder region. The
fat deposits and muscular development cause the shoulder-
blade to be held more rigidly ; thus the body in the chest
region, rises between the shoulder-blades, as indicated by the
greater distance between the withers and the upper border of
the shoulder-blade. The greatest change in the body measure-
ments was the circumference of the paunch. This, however,
was proportionately less than, the increase of 7-321 inches in
circumference of the hind flank. The fact that the distance of
chest to ground and hind flank to ground did not show greater
difference was due to lowering of the flank by deposition of fat
in that region and the fat covering over the region of the chest.
The region of the body possessing the most valuable eatable
parts on the whole are affected most in the fattening
process.

CORRELATION TABLES.—The following table (p. 322) is
here presented as illustration, of the methods used in obtaining
the facts presented in Tables IIT and IV :—

322 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

TABLE II.—Correlation of average daily gain of steers during a
feeding period of 120 to 140 days, and the Ww eight at the begin-
ning of a feeding period.

Correlation Correlation

Correlating

Correlating

coefficient coefficient

Gainwithinitial length of head |o.182 + 0,037
Gain with initial length from

Gain whith initial live weight |0.036 -+ 0.036
Gain with increase in circum-

ference of chest : point of shoulder to buttock | .020 + .056_
Gain with initial width of rear Gain with increase in circum-

flanig +. ference of paunch ,. . -306 + .036
Gain withinitiel clycumiference Gain with initial heigth of wi-

of rear flank. thers .

- 1634 .054

Gain with initial ‘width of :
shouldérs < . s. sie) sme

Gain with initia) circumference

Gain with imitial height of
point of shoulder.
Gain with initial height x

144 .055-

rear flank, . . of paunch.. -| 124 4° 1055
Gain with initial Sati of hip Gain with increase in circum-| .
” to buttock . . ference of rear flank . . .| .203 + .055
Gain with initial sriglth of toi Width of thurls with height of :
Gain with initial circumfer- rear flank... ....+ «| 380+ O49
ence of chest Circumference of chest with
Gain withinitial depthof chest height of withers. ... 621+ .034
Gain with initial width of fore Width of loin with height of
flank... chest from ground . 179+ .057-

Gain with initial distance: of Width of chest with depth oe -_
chest to ground ... . P igs / 0380S bs ne 365+ .072
Gain with initial width of
thurls . :

* #¢e

The results shown in Table III are based on data collected
on steers during the two winter periods of 1914-15 and 1915-16.
All measurements considered in this table are initial measure-
ments except those that show increases of dimensions at the

7

close of the fattening period as compared with the initial
measurements. The coefficient of variation is shown to be
greatest on increases in circumference of hind flank, paunch,
and chest, and the increase in gains in live weight. =
These measurements all relate to increased dimensions and
occur in those parts of the body that show relatively high per-
centage increase over initial body measurements (Table I).

STATISTICAL STUDY OF BODY WEIGHTS 323

Of the initial measurements the greatest coefficient of varia-
tion is 11-9 + 0-04 per cent for initial live weight. In all the
chest measurements the coefficients of variation are relatively
high: Width at poimt of shoulder 9-3 + 0-52, width of fore
flank 10-4 + 0-6, depth of chest 6-1 + 0-34, and circumference
of chest 6-9 + 0-39. Likewise the mid and posterior regions of
the body show variations, the rear flank with a coefficient of
variation, of 8-7 + 0-48, circumference of rear flank 6 ++ 0-34,
width of loin 7-5 + 0-43, width of thurls 5-9 + 0-34, circum-
ference of paunch 11 + 0-62, and distance of hips to buttock
5-2 + 0-29.

Taste II].—WMeans, standard deviations, and coefficients of

variation presented in correlation tables.

hare OSE Coefficient
of Measurenients Standard deviations = :

stecrs of variation

pounds pounds

388 | Average daily gain .. . 1.93 + 0.016 0.446 + 0.011 23.1 + 0.84

_ 388 | Initial live weight 893.03 + 3.04 106.88 + 2.77 Il.9g + .04
142 | Tota] gain in Hive weight| 288.55 -+- 3.10 5A joieeG 19.1 4- 1.08

Inches Inches

* 142 | Jucrease in circumference

: of chest : 8.13 4- 1.87 + 23.0 + 1.30
142 | Width of rear flank. . 19.25 + 1.09 a= 8.7-+ .48
142 | Circuiferenceofrearflank| 72.76 -/ 4-40 -[- 6.0 4+- .34
142 | Height of shoulder point] 34.10 -|- P57 Se 15+ .25
142 | Height of rear flank 30.23 +- ¥.67 a= 5-5 +: 31
142 | Distance, hip to buttock 18.69 -+ “99 + 5.2+ .290
Hea. | width of foin ... +. . 13.96 +- 1.05 -- 75+ .43
142 | Circttmference of chest 69.82 -+- 3.91 + 69+ .39
142 | Depth of chest... ASI Af 1.59 + 6.1 + .34
I42 | Width of fore flank. 435.02 -£ 1G fa 10.4 + .60
3142 | Distance, chest to ground | 22.89 -+- 1.18 + 5.1 - .28
136 | Width of thurl 17.36 + 2) 25 5.9 - .34
142 | Length of head. 19.53 + 8rot 4.1 FF .23
142 | Length of shoulder oe ,

buttock y. 3.. <.-. 55.66 + =“ 5.4 + +.30
‘142 | Increase in pircamfcrence
of paunch 8.26 -- 35.8 + 2.02

142 | Height of withers. . . 49.50 + I. 4:0 25627
142 | Widthat point ofshoulder} 16.42 -- 9.3 -52
142 | Circumference of paunch,|} 81.60 + 100+ .62
138 | Increase in circumference :

of rear flank

46.6 + 2.67

324 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

at

The measurements affected most by growth show the least
variations and include the distance of shoulder point, rear
flank, and withers from the ground, length of head, and dis-
tance of shoulder point to buttock.

In general, Table III shows the greatest variation in those
regions of the body which change most in a fattening steer and
those regions affected most by deposition of fat and develop-
ment of muscular tissue.

Table IV, a summary of the coefficients of correlation, shows
that increases in body measurements have a closer relationship
with gains in live weight than the initial measurements. With
the exception of initial weight these measurements, as shown
in Table IT, also had high coefficients of variation.

TaBLE I1V.—Summary of correlations
Daily Initial weight per steer (pounds) 7
ote oo [vase] oo] os] sole [om [a [te [oe |
3.2 — we — ae ai I 5 a rr &
3-0 Scat MRE aA en eRe Garren ote | —|—
2.8 —|— I I 3 I I 2 — | Ik
2.6 —|—}|]— 4 2 2 4 7 I || 20
2.4 —| 1 2 Ea) coh » seat 7 2 41
2.2 apahl RE 2, kee Ee A ke — | =
2.0 — 3; — I 4 7 9] 16. 2 || 65
1.8 — 3 2 2 5 GR Bal ig T3100) 6 63
1.6 rf ih ce 13 a +]
1.4 ——w fel he 8 25h 4 4 s fe) 3 I || 33
EZ 2};—/|]— Z 2 4 2 6 I am
1.0 5 ae be = ena I 2 — aa 5
0.8 = ie A aed Bei a ae” ee *

Meas liveweight. |:\>,/. csc tise once ree pounds 893.93 + 3.94 |
Meet any Bain hos che Si eae eB eee do. 1.95 + .016 %
Standard deviation of ive Weight, sis) ite do, 10688 + 2.777
Standard deviation of daily gain. ...-. do, 0.446 —- oll
Correlations 45 ss: +p ca shear et see og) sivas do. 0.0364 + .036

The correlation coefficients for the two body circumferences
of chest and rear flank, the width of thurls (hip joint), and the
distance of hip to buttock show the closest relationship of all

STATISTICAL STUDY OF BODY WEIGHTS 325

the initial measurements with gains in live weight. This sug-
gests the possibilities of using these measurements in the selec-
tion, of feeding steers, at least for experimental purposes, as a
means of reducing the experimental error caused by individu-
ality of animals.

The measurement of initial weight shows no relationship
with gains, although this is usually considered one of the most
important factors in selection of steers for experimental
purposes.

Measurements that show intermediate relationship as indi-
cated by coefficients of correlation are width of loin, depth of
chest, width of fore flank, length of head, height of withers,
circumference of paunch, and width of shoulders.

Measurements in which slight or no relationship exist as
shown, by correlation coefficients are initial live weight, width
of rear flank, height at shoulder point, and the distance of rear
- flank and chest from the ground.

A close relationship of circumference of chest with height of
withers is indicated by r + 0-621 + 0-034. Likewise, the width
of chest and depth of chest by r = 0-365 + 0-072 show a
definite relationship.

The hind quarters of a steer are more important than the
fore quarters in determining the gaining capacity of a steer,
with the exception of the circumference of chest as shown, by
a correlation coefficient of 0-224 + 0-054 for width of thurls,
0-271 + 0-053 for distance of hip to buttock, and 0-221 + 0-053
for circumference of rear flank.

The circumference of chest and rear flank are more impor-
tant in ascertaining gains than feed capacity as indicated by
the circumference of paunch.

LIST OF MEAT CANNING AND PRESERVING WORKS
IN AUSTRALASIA

NEW SOUTH WALES

Alexandria Meat Preserving Works, Alexandria.—Capacity, 80,000 12-o0z.
tins per week.

Angliss and Co. (N.S.W.) Prop. Ltd., Wm., Daroobalgie Freezing Works,
Forbes.—Capacity, 6000 2-lb. tins preserved meat per day.
Barnes Ltd., James, Alexandria.—Capacity, 24,000 12-oz. tins preserved
meat per day.
Byron Bay Packing and Chilling Company Ltd., Byron Bay.—Capacity,
11,000 24-oz. tins preserved meat per day.

Cooke and Co. Prop. Ltd., John, Sandown Freezing Works, Parramatta.—
Capacity, 10,000 12-oz. tins preserved meat per day.

Glen Packing Company, Camperdown.—Capacity, 33,000 24-oz. tins pre-
served meat per day.

Hunter River Meat Preserving Company Ltd., Leichhardt.—Capacity, 20,000
24-0z. tins preserved meat daily.

Kensington Meat Preserving Company, Ramornie.

Lilyfield Packing Company Ltd., Leichhardt.—Capacity, 15,000 24-o0z. tins.

preserved meat per day.

Little and Co., Robert, Merriwa.— Rabbit canning works.

National Meat Preserving Company Ltd., Balmain.—Capacity, 33,000 24-02.
tins preserved meat per day.

North Coast Co-operative Company Limited, Byron Bay.—Capacity, approxi-
mately 15,000 1-lb. tins preserved meat per month.

0.K. Meat Company, South Grafton.

Sydney Meat Preserving Company Ltd., Auburn.—Capacity, 3500 6-lb. tins
preserved meat per day.

Union Meat Company Limited, Tibbereena.—Capacity, 6000 2-lb. tins pre-
served rabbits daily.

Also rabbit canning works at Coonamble, with capacity of 3000

2-lb. tins daily.

VICTORIA

Angliss and Co. Prop. Lid., Wm., Imperial Freezing Works, Footscray.—
Capacity, 100 cattle and 1000 sheep per day.

Borthwick and Sons (Australasia) Ltd., Thos., Portland Freezing Works,
Portland.—Capacity, 20 cattle per day.

Clark and Son Prop. Ltd., E. A., Victorian Export Canning Works.—
Capacity, 2000 to 3000 lbs. meat per day. =
Flemington Meat Preserving Company Prop. Ltd., Lang’s Road, Ascot Vale

—Capacity, 25,000 24-o0z. tins preserved meat per day. Accommoda-
tion provided for slaughtering 2500 sheep per day.
Geelong Harbour Trust, Corio Freezing Works, Geelong.
326

MEAT CANNING AND PRESERVING WORKS 327

QUEENSLAND

Australian Meat Export Company Ltd., Alligator Creek Freezing Works
Townsville.—Capacity, 150 cattle per day.
Brisbane River Freezing Works, Brisbane.—Capacity, 150 cattle
per day.
Baynes Bros., Queensport, Brisbane.—Capacity, 80 cattle per day.
Bergl Australia Ltd., Bowen Meat Freezing Works, Bowen.—Capacity, 50
cattle per day.
Birt and Co. Ltd., Biboohra, Cairns.—Capacity, 150 cattle per day.
Borthwick and Sons (Australasia) Ltd., Thomas, Moreton Freezing Works,
Brisbane.—Capacity not specified.
Central Queensland Meat Export Company Ltd., Lakes Creek Freezing Works,
Rockhampton.—Capacity, 40,000 lbs. meat per day.
Cooke and Co. Prop. Ltd., John, Redbank Freezing Works, via Brisbane.—
Capacity, 50 cattle per day.
Queensland Meat Export Company Ltd., Eagle Farm Freezing Works, Bris-
bane.—Capacity, 70 cattle per day.
Ross River Freezing Works, Townsville-——Capacity, 36,000 Ibs
meat per day.
Rosewarne (Queensland) Ltd., Brisbane.—Capacity, 1000 cattle per week.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

South Australian Government.—Ocean Steamers’ Wharf, Port Adelaide.—
Capacity, 1000 6-lb. or 3000 2-lb. tins of meat per day.

Wilcox, Mofflin Ltd., Compton, Mt. Gambier.—Used for canning rabbits only.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Proposed.
Nor.-West Meat Works Ltd., Carnarvon.—Capacity, 1500 sheep per day.

NORTHERN TERRITORY
North Australian Meat Co. Ltd., Darwin.—Capacity, not specified.

NEW ZEALAND

Borthwick and Sons (Aust.) Ltd., Thos., Waitara Freezing Works, Waitara.
—Capacity, 40 head cattle per day.

Canterbury Frozen Meat and O.P. Export Co. Ltd., Belfast Freezing Works,
Belfast.—Capacity, 3000 lbs. preserved meat per day.

East Coast Co-operative Freezing Co. Ltd., Whakatane Freezing Works,
Whakatane.—Capacity, 50 head cattle per day.

Enterprise Meat Works, Winton.

Feilding Farmers’ Freezing Co. Ltd., Feilding Freezing Works, Aorangi,
Feilding.

Gear Meat Preserving and Freezing Company of N.Z. Ltd., Petone Freezing
Works, Petone.—Capacity, 3,000,000 lbs. meat per season.

Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Frozen Meat Company Ltd., Kaiti Freezing Works,
Gisborne.—Capacity, 5000 Ibs. meat per day.

Nelson Bros. Ltd., Tomoana Freezing Works, Tomoana.—Capacity, 1000 to
1200 lbs. meat per day.

328 THE WORLD‘S MEAT FUTURE

New Zealand Refrigerating Company Ltd., Imlay Freezing Works, near Wan-
ganui.—Capacity, 6000 lbs. meat per day.

Islington Freezing Works, Islington.—Capacity, 6000 lbs. meat
per day.

New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Bacon and Meat Packing Co. Ltd.—
Ngahauranga Works, near Wellington.—Capacity, 90 head cattle or
30,000 lbs. meat per day.

Patea Farmers’ Co-operative Freezing Co. Ltd., Patea Freezing Works, Can-
ville.—Capacity, 16,000 lbs. meat per day.

Poverty Bay Farmers’ Meat Co. Ltd., Waipaoa Freezing Works, Gisborne.
—Capacity, 18,000 lbs. meat per day.

Taranaki Farmers’ Meat Co. Ltd., New Plymouth Freezing Works, New
Plymouth.—Capacity, 9000 Ibs. meat per day.

Tait, W. E., Woodlands Meat Preserving Works, Invercargill.—Capacity,
11,000 lbs. preserved meat per day.

Wanganui Meat Freezing Company Ltd., Castlecliff Freezing Works, Castle-
cliff.—Capacity, 6500 Ibs. preserved meat per day.

Wellington Farmers’ Meat Company Ltd. (1), Waingawa Freezing Works, near
Masterton.—Capacity, 20,000 Ibs. meat daily.

Wellington Meat Export Company Ltd., Ngahauranga Freezing Works, near
Wellington.—Capacity, 1500 carcases mutton per day.

Westfield Freezing Co. Ltd., Westfield Freezing Works, near Auckland.—
Sixty bodies beef per ‘day.

Whangarei Freezing Co. Ltd., Whangarei Freezing Works, Reatahi, Whan-
garei Heads.—Twenty bodies beef per day.

(1) Capacity being increased to 50,000 Ibs. of meat per day.

LIST OF REFRIGERATING WORKS EMPLOYED IN
THE MEAT EXPORT TRADE IN AUSTRALIA AND
NEW ZEALAND

GIVING APPROXIMATE DAILY RECEIVING AND STORAGE CAPACITY

QUEENSLAND

Australian Meat Export Company Ltd., Brisbane River Works, Brisbane.—
750 cattle and 3000 sheep per day, storage capacity, 40,000 quarters
beef and 135,000 carcases mutton ; total, 4000 tons.

Alligator Creek Works, Townsville.—750 cattle and 2000 sheep per
day; storage capacity, 40,000 quarters beef and 135,000 carcases
mutton; total, 4000 tons.

Bergl Australia Ltd., Bowen Meat Freezing Works, Bowen.—150 cattle per
day ; storage capacity, 1500 tons. ;

Birt and Co. Ltd., Musgrave Wharf Cold Stores, South Brisbane.—100 cattle
or 1100 sheep per day ; storage capacity, 750 tons.

Murarrie Works, near Brisbane.—150 cattle or 1500 sheep per day ;
storage capacity, 700 tons.

Borthwick and Sons (Australasia) Ltd., Thos., Moreton Freezing Works,
Brisbane.—250 cattle or 4000 sheep per day ; storage capacity, 1000

, tons.

Burdekin River Meat Preserving Company Ltd., Burdekin Works, Sellheim.
—260 cattle or 2000 sheep per day ; storage capacity, 1200 tons.

Central Queensland Meat Export Company Ltd., Lakes Creek Works, Rock-
hampton.—500 cattle or 3000 sheep per day ; storage capacity, 3000
tons.

Cooke and Co. Prop. Ltd., John, Redbank Works, via Brisbane.—400 cattle,
or 280 cattle and 1600 sheep per day ; storage capacity, 2800 tons.

Gladstone Meat Works of Queensland Ltd., Gladstone Works, Gladstone.—
400 cattle or 3500 sheep per day, or 200 cattle and 2000 sheep per day ;
storage capacity, 2500 tons.

Queensland Government, Charleville Works, Charleville.—Storage capacity,
160 quarters beef, 600 to 800 carcases of mutton.

Queensland Meat Export Company Ltd., Eagle Farm Works, Brisbane.—330
cattle and 300 sheep, or 150 cattle and 2000 sheep per day ; storage
capacity, 32,000 quarters beef, or 105,000 carcases mutton; total,
2000 tons.

Ross River Works, Townsville.—750 cattle, or 700 cattle and 1000
sheep, or 600 cattle and 2000 sheep, or 550 cattle and 2500 sheep per
day; storage capacity, 88,000 quarters beef, or 290,000 carcases
mutton ; total, 5500 tons.

NEW SOUTH WALES
Angliss and Co. (N.S.W.) Prop. Ltd., W., Daroobalgie Works, near Forbes,
—4000 sheep and 250 cattle per day, and 4000 crates rabbits weekly ;
storage capacity, 100,000 carcases lamb.
Australian Chilling and Freezing Company Ltd., Aberdeen Works, near New-
castle.—100 cattle and 3000 sheep per day ; storage capacity, 60,000
carcases mutton,

329

330 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

Cooke and Co. Prop. Ltd., John, Sandown Works, near Parramatta.—7000
sheep, or 400 cattle and 3000 sheep per day ; storage capacity, 255,000
carcases mutton.

Crystal Ice and Cold Storage Company Ltd., works, Balmain, Sydney.—1500
sheep per day ; storage capacity, 40,000 carcases mutton.

Metropolitan Ice and Cold Storage Company Ltd., works, Harris Street, Sydney.
—1200 sheep per day ; storage capacity, 40,000 carcases mutton.

Metropolitan Meat Industry Board, temporary meat distributing depot, Pyr-
mont, Sydney.—Storage capacity, 1000 carcases mutton.

Municipal Cold Storage Works, Sydney.—Storage capacity, 100,000 carcases
mutton,

New South Wales Fresh Food and Ice Company Ltd., Darling Harbour Works,
Sydney.—6000 sheep per day; storage capacity, 170,000 carcases
mutton.

Pastoral Finance Association Ltd., Kirribilli Point Works, Sydney.—2500
sheep per day ; storage capacity, 75,000 carcases mutton,

Riverina Frozen Meat Company Prop. Ltd., Deniliquin Works, Deniliquin
(shipping, via Melbourne).—1500 sheep per day; storage capacity,
40,000 carcases mutton,

Sydney Ice Skating Rink and Cold Storage Company Ltd., cold stores, Harris
Street, Ultimo, Sydney.—2500 sheep per day; storage capacity,
60,000 carcases mutton.

IN COURSE OF |ERECTION

Walker and Co., F. J., Tibbereena Meat Works.—Estimated killing capacity,
1000 sheep and 80 head cattle per day.

Waterside Cold Stores Ltd., Jones Bay, Sydney.—Estimated storage capacity,
100,000 carcases mutton.

VICTORIA

Angliss and Co. Pty. Ltd., Wm.,* works, Bourke Street, Melbourne.
lambs per day ; storage capacity, 25,000 carcases lamb.

City Market Cool Stores and Ice Works,* King Street, Melbourne.—
2000 carcases lamb per day ; storage capacity, 120,000 carcases lamb.

Imperial Freezing Works, Footscray, near Melbourne. —11,000 sheep
or lambs and 250 cattle per day; storage capacity, 250,000 carcases
lamb or equivalent in beef.

Borthwick and Sons (Australasia) Ltd., Thomas, Portland Freezing Works,
Portland.—40 cattle and 1100 lambs per day; storage eapacity,
20,000 carcases lamb.

Brooklyn Freezing Works, Footscray.—5000 lambs and 50 cattle
per day ; storage capacity, 76,800 carcases lamb.

Cooke and Co. Prop. Ltd., John, Newport Freezing Works, near Melbourne.
— Kill 6000 and freeze 4000 lambs per day ; storage capacity, 120,000
carcases lamb.

Fletcher Ltd., W. and R., North Shore Freezing Works, Geelong.—1600 lambs
per day ; storage capacity, 28,000 carcases lamb.

Geelong Harbour Trust, Geelong.—200 cattle and 9000 sheep or lambs per
day ; ; storage capacity, 150,000 carcases mutton.

Goulburn Valley Industries Company Ltd., Shepparton.—1600 sheep or lambs
per day ; storage capacity, 50,000 carcases lamb.

Melbourne Cool Stores and Ice Works (W. Dunkerley, propr.), Flinders Lane,
Melbourne.—Storage only ; capacity, 60,000 carcases lamb.

2000

REFRIGERATING -WORKS 331

Melbourne Ice Skating and Refrigerating Company, The Glaciarium, Mel-
bourne.—2500 carcases lamb per day ; storage capacity, 45,000 car-
cases lamb.

Metropolitan Ice and Cold Store Works (W. Dunkerley, Propr.), Blackwood
Street, North Melbourne.—Storage only ; capacity, 50,000 carcases
lamb.

Sennitt and Son Prop. Ltd.,* works, Miller Street, Melbourne.—1000 carcases
lamb per day ; storage capacity, 30,000 carcases lamb.

Victorian Butter Factories Co-operative Co.,* works, Flinders Street Exten-
sion, Melbourne.—2000 carcases lamb per day; storage capacity,
50,000 carcases lamb.

Victorian Government,* Victoria Docks Stores, Melbourne.—3500 carcases
mutton or lamb per day; storage capacity, 150,000 carcases lamb.
(Total refrigerated space, 750,000 cubic feet.)

Wimmera Inland Freezing Company Ltd., Murtoa Works, Murtoa.—2600 sheep
or lambs per day ; storage capacity, 60,000 carcases lamb.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

South Australian Government, State Refrigerating Works, Port Adelaide.—
120 cattle and 8000 sheep or lambs per day ; storage capacity, 300,000
carcases mutton (600,000 cubic feet).

Light Square Works, Adelaide.—3000 carcases mutton per day ;
storage capacity, 65,000 carcases mutton (150,000 cubic feet).

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Vestey Bros., Darwin, Northern Territory, 500 cattle per day ; capacity,
6000 tons beef, equivalent to about 200,000 carcases mutton.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Baker Bros., Works, Fremantle.—100—150 cattle per week ; storage capacity,
26,139 cubic feet.

Western Fresh Food and Ice Company, Works, Fremantle.—1000 carcases
lamb per day ; storage capacity, 3500 cubic feet.

Western Australian Government, Wyndham Works, Wyndham.—Approxi-
mately 300 to 400 cattle per day ; storage capacity, 16,400 qrs. beef
—1264 tons.

NEW ZEALAND

Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company Ltd., Horatiu Works, Horatiu, Wai-
kato.—3000 sheep or 220 cattle per day ; storage capacity, 180,000
carcases mutton.

Southdown Works, Penrose, Auckland.—3000 sheep or 220 cattle
per day ; storage capacity, 172,000 carcases mutton.
Auckland Works, Auckland.—Storage only, 130,600 carcases mutton.

Borthwick and Sons (Australasia) Ltd., Thos., Paki Paki Works, Hastings,
Hawkes Bay.—2000 sheep and 30 cattle per day; storage capacity,
60,000 carcases mutton.

Canterbury Works, Belfast, near Christchurch.—4000 sheep per
day ; storage capacity, 80,000 carcases mutton.

Waitara Works, Waitara, Taranaki.—2000 sheep and 200 cattle per
day ; storage capacity, 80,000 carcases mutton.

* The figures given here denote only such space as is set apart for the
frozen meat trade. The total capacity of the works is in most cases consider -
ably larger. The stores are also used for freezing and storing butter, rabbits
and other perishable produce.

332 THE WORLD’S MEAT FUTURE

Canterbury Frozen Meat and D.P. Export Company Ltd., Belfast Works,
Belfast, Canterbury.—6000 sheep and 100 cattle per day; storage
capacity, 190,000 carcases mutton.

Fairfield Works, Ashburton,—4000 sheep and 25 cattle per day ;
storage capacity, 80,000 carcases mutton.

Pareora Works, Pareora, near Timaru.—4500 sheep and 35 cattle
per day ; storage capacity, 178,000 carcases mutton.

East Coast Co-operative Freezing Co. Ltd., (1) Whakatane Works, Whaka-
tane, Bay of Plenty.—1000 sheep and 200 cattle per day; storage
capacity, 100,000 carcases mutton.

Feilding Farmers’ Freezing Company Ltd., Feilding Works, Aorangi, Feilding.
— 1400 sheep per day; storage capacity, 130,000 carcases
mutton,

Gear Meat Preserving and Freezing Company Ltd. Petone Works, Petone,
near Wellington.—10,000 sheep and 100 cattle per day ; storage capa-
city, 400,000 carcases mutton.

Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Frozen Meat Company Ltd., Kaiti Works, Kaiti, Gis-
borne.—4500 sheep and 120 cattle per day ; storage capacity, 234,000
carcases mutton.

Hawkes Bay Farmers’ Meat Company Ltd., Whakatu Works, Whakatu, near
Hastings.—2000 sheep and 80 cattle per day; storage capacity,
130,000 carcases mutton,

National Mortgage and Agency Company Ltd., Longburn Works, Longburn,
near Palmerston North.—1500 sheep and 70 cattle per day ; storage
capacity, 120,000 carcases mutton.

Nelson Bros. Ltd.—Tomoana Works, Tomoana, Hawkes Bay.—3000 sheep
and 80 cattle per day; storage capacity, 155,500 carcases
mutton.

Taruheru Works, Taruheru, near Gisborne.—3000 sheep and 85
cattle per day ; storage capacity, 95,000 carcases mutton.

Hornby Works, Hornby, near Christchurch.—1500 sheep per day ;
storage capacity, 64,000 carcases mutton.

Nelson Freezing Company Ltd., Stoke Works, Stoke, near Nelson.—350
sheep and 20 cattle per day; storage capacity, 30,000 carcases
mutton,

New Zealand Refrigerating Co. Ltd., Islington Works, Islington, near Christ-
church.—7000 sheep and 50 cattle per day ; storage capacity, 291,000
carcases mutton.

Smithfield Works, Smithfield, near Timaru.—6000 sheep and 50
cattle per day ; storage capacity, 186,000 carcases mutton.

Pukeuri Works, Pukeuri, near Oamaru.—3000 sheep per day ;
storage capacity, 200,000 carcases mutton.

Burnside Works, Burnside, near Dunedin.—3500 sheep and 50 cattle
per day ; storage capacity, 216,000 carcasés mutton,

Picton Works, Marlborough.—1000 sheep and 30 cattle per day ;
storage capacity, 23,000 carcases mutton,

Imlay Works, Wanganui.—6000 sheep and 200 cattle per day ;
storage capacity, 250,000 carcases mutton, i

New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Bacon and Meat Packing Co. Ltd., Eltham
Works, Taranaki.—150 pigs and 60 cattle per day ; storage capacity,
25,000 carcases mutton, "

Frankton Junction Works, Waikato.—300 pigs per day; storage
capacity, 25,000 carcases mutton.

Ngahauranga Works, near Wellington.—1200 pigs, 70 cattle and
600 sheep per day; storage capacity, 50,000 carcases mutton,

Te Aroha Works, Thames Valley,—150 pigs per day.

er ree

=

Sapte. REFRIGERATING WORKS

North British and Hawkes Bay Freezing Company, Spit Works, Port Ahuriri,
Napier.—2500 sheep per day; storage capacity, 50,000 carcases
mutton,

North Canterbury Sheep Farmers’ Co-operative Freezing Co., Kaiapoi Works,
near Christchurch.—2500 sheep and 25 cattle per day ; storage capa-
city, 200,000 carcases mutton.

Otaihape Farmers’ Meat and Produce Company Ltd., Winiata Works, Winiata,
near Taihape.—1200 sheep and 50 cattle per day ; storage capacity,
120,000 carcases mutton.

Patea Farmers’ Freezing Company, Patea Works, Canville, near Patea.—1500
sheep and 150 cattle per day; storage capacity, 140,000 carcases
mutton.

Poverty Bay Farmers’ Meat Company, Waipaoa Works, near Gisborne, Poverty
Bay.—4000 sheep and 200 cattle per day ; storage capacity, 200,000
carcases mutton.

Southland Frozen Meat and Produce Export Company Ltd., Bluff Works,
Bluff, Southland.—Storage only, 115,000 carcases mutton.

Mataura Works, Mataura, Southland.—2000 sheep and 100 cattle
per day ; storage capacity, 92,000 carcases mutton.

Wallacetown Works, Makarewa, Southland.—2000 sheep and 120
cattle per day ; storage capacity, 74,000 carcases mutton.

South Otago Freezing Company Ltd., Finegand Works, Balclutha, South
Otago.—2500 sheep and 40 cattle per day ; storage capacity, 200,000
carcases mutton,

Taranaki Farmers’ Meat Co. Ltd., New Plymouth Works, New Plymouth,
Taranaki.—1500 sheep and 150 cattle per day; storage capacity,
120,000 carcases mutton.

Tokomaru Sheepfarmers’ Freezing Company Ltd., Tokomaru Works, Toko-
maru Bay.—3000 sheep and 50 cattle per day; storage capacity,
130,000 carcases mutton.

Wairoa Farmers’ Co-operative Meat Co. Ltd., Wairoa Works, Wairoa, Hawkes
Bay.—2000 sheep and 50 cattle per day; storage capacity, 125,000
carcases mutton.

Wanganui Meat Freezing Company Ltd., Castlecliff Works, Castlecliff, Wan-
ganui River.—3000 sheep and 80 cattle per day; storage capacity,
110,000 carcases mutton.

Ward and Co. Ltd., J. G., Ocean Beach Freezing Works, Bluff.—3000 sheep
and 120 cattle per day ; storage capacity, 115,000 carcases mutton.

Wellington Farmers’ Meat Company Ltd. (2) Waingawa Works, Waingawa,
near Masterton.—7000 sheep and 250 cattle per day; storage capa-
city, 270,000 carcases mutton.

Kakariki Works, Kakariki, near Marton.—2000 sheep and 50 cattle
per day ; storage capacity, 100,000 carcases mutton.

Wellington Meat Export Company Ltd., Ngahauranga Works, Ngahauranga,
near Wellington.—7000 sheep and 130 cattle per day ; storage capa-
city, 240,000 carcases mutton.

Westfield Freezing Company Ltd. (3) Westfield Works, near Auckland.—2000
sheep and 200 cattle per day; storage capacity, 175,000 carcases
mutton.

(1) Storage for an additional 40,000 carcases in course of erection.
(2) Storage for an additional 80,000 carcases in course of erection.
(3) Storage for an additional 50,000 carcases in course of erection.

Whangarei Freezing Company Ltd., Whangarei Works, Reotahi, Whangerei
“Heads.—1200 sheep or 150 cattle per day; storage capacity, 90,000
carcases mutton.

LIST OF FREEZING WORKS OPERATING IN
SOUTH AMERICA.
ARGENTINA

ich se Sansinena de Carnes Congeladas.— Works, Bahia Blanca (Cuatreros),
uenos Aires.

Sociedad Anonima “‘ La Blanca’’ Company.— Works, Buenos Aires.
Frigorifico Argentino Central.— Works, Buenos Aires.

Compania Swift de la Plata.— Works, La Plata; also Gallegos and San Julian.
La Plata Cold Storage Company.— Works, Buenos Aires.

Frigorifico Armour de la Plata.— Works, La Plata.

British and Argentine Meat Company Ltd.— Works, Campana.

British and Argentine Meat Company Ltd. (Las Palmas Produce Co.).— Works,

Las Palmas.

Anglo-South American Meat Co.— Works, Zarate.

Smithfield and Argentine Meat Co. Ltd.— Works, Zarate.

Swift and Company.— Works, Saladillo.

New Plant building.—Company’s title not settled.—Santa Cruz.

Frigorifico Wilson.— Works, Buenos Aires.

Le Frigorifico Santafecino (a French-Argentine Syndicate).—Works, Venado
Tuerto (Santa Fé).

CHILE AND PATAGONIA

La Compania Frigorifico Argentino de Tierra del Fuego.— Works, Rio Grand.
Frigerico Punta Arenas.— Works, Punta Arenas.

New Patagonia Meat and Cold Storage Company.—Works, Puerto Gallegos.
South American Export Syndicate Ltd.— Works, Rio Seco.

La Compania de Frigorifica, Patagonia.— Works, San Gregorio.

La Compania Frigorifica de Puerto Natales.— Works, Puerto Natales.

Cia Exploadora de Tierra del Fuego.— Works, Puerto Bories.

URUGUAY

La Frigorifica Uruguaya.— Works, Monte Video.

Frigorifico Swift de Monte Video.— Works, Monte Video.
Frigorifico Hall (Vestey Bros.).—Works, Monte Video.
Frigorifico Artigas.— Works, Monte Video.

Morris and Co.— Works, Monte Video.

Armour and Co., del Uruguay Sec. Anon.— Works, Monte Video.

PARAGUAY

Compania Paraguaya de Frigorificos de Carnes Congeladas.—(Canning only.)
Central Products Company.— Works, Asuncion ; (canning only).
Frigorifico San Salvador de Paraguay.— Works, San Salvador.

9

34

FREEZING WORKS 335

BRAZIL

Companha Armour do Brazil Sociedad Anonima Santa Anna do Livramento.
Works, Rio Grande do Sul.

Companha Armour do Brazil Sociedad Anonima Frigerifico Sao Paulo (Sao
Paulo).— Works, Santos.

Companha Mechanica e Importadora de Sao Paulo.—Works, Barretos, near,
Sao Paulo.

Companha Frigorifico e Pastoral do Sao Paulo.— Works, Barretos.

Continental Products Co.— Works. Ozaseo Sao Paulo; Santos.

Companha Brittannica do Carnes.— Works, Rio de Janeiro.

Empreza de Armazen Frigorificos.— W orks, Rio de Janeiro.

Central Products Co.— Works, Sao Paulo.

Union Cold Storage Co.— Works, Mendes.

Companha Swift do Brazil.— Works, Rio Grand do Sul; also at Rosario.

Port Company.—Freezing and Storage only at Rio.

Companha Docas do Santos.— Freezing and Storage only at Santos.

Brazilero Co. (Empreza Armazen Frigorificos).—Leased to British and
Argentine Meat Co.—Works, Rio Grande do Sul.

Brazilian Meat Co.— Works, Mendes.

VENEZUELA
Venezuelan Meat and Products Syndicate Ltd.—Works, Puerto Cabello.

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BY WM. BRENDON AND SON, LTD., PLYMOUTH,

PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE
CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY

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