1857.] Beef. 475 



BEEF. 



For many years an extensive trade has been carried on between 

 New York and other eastern cities and South America, in hides. — 

 Many thousands of cattle are sacrificed upon the plains of South 

 America for their hides alone, which amount to many cargoes an- 

 nually, while the carcasses, aifording the best of beef are allowed to 

 decay upon the plains where they are slain. Recently one of the 

 enterprising citizens of Kentucky returned from a successful trip to 

 Mexico with a large drove of mules, which are summered in the 

 Kentucky pastures and then offered in market. This experiment we 

 have no doubt will prove a very profitable one and will probably be 

 repeated by others for many years to come. 



This fact suggests to us whether something may not be done by 

 way of procuring beef from the South American cattle that are now 

 being sacrificed in such large numbers. Beef has become an im- 

 portant item, both in our western as well as eastern markets, the 

 price having advanced one or two hundred per cent, within the last 

 few years, with a prospect of a still further increase. 



Now, whether the cattle from South America can be transported 

 to our Atlantic States alive by sea to a profit we will not pretend to 

 say. It has been intimated that neither the wild cattle of Mexico or 

 from the Savannas of Venezuela can be domesticated so as to eat or. 

 drink, and that they will die of hunger and thirst before they will 

 partake of either while in confinement. But one thing is quite evi- 

 dent, that with proper arrangements the beef and tallow may be sav- 

 ed and turned to valuable account, if some enterprising individuals 

 would go to that country prepared to introduce a more economical 

 system in killing these cattle. An immence amount of salt beef is 

 required for our army and navy, besides for domestic purposes, and 

 we see no reason why a large proportion of this supply may not be 

 derived from this source. There is no better or healthier meat than 

 that of wild animals, and we think the experiment is well worth in- 

 vestigation and trial. — Valley Farmer. 



