88 AGRICULTURAI. EXPLORATiONS IN ALGERIA. 



CATTLE. 



The greater number of the cattle raised in Algeria belong to a well- 

 niarkecl North African type — perhaps a subt} peof the Spanish cattle — 

 of which various races are distinguished. The best defined of these 

 are the Guelnia and the Moroccan races. The}'^ are rather small in 

 size and of good shape, with rather long l)ody, full flanks, large, well- 

 formed chest, rather small l)el]y, and erect, curved horns. In color 

 they are usually dark, having black head and legs and dark gray, 

 fawn-colored, or red back and flanks. They are hardy animals, habit- 

 uated to the severe conditions under which they ordinarily live. 

 Owing to the small amount of food obtainable during the long, dry 

 summer they ai'e small and slow in maturing, requiring usually six 

 years to reach full development. In spring, when the natural pastur- 

 age is abundant, and at other seasons, if su})plie(l with cultivated 

 forage, they fatten rapidly. If given plenty of green forage and a 

 small amount of grain, a steer can usually put on 400 pounds of meat 

 without difliculty. When well treated, Algerian cattle make excellent 

 work animals, but the cows are generally poor milkers. 



Cattle are purchased from the Arabs for fattening, usually in the 

 late summer or earl}^ autunni, and at a price of $1> to $13 per head. 

 They are pastured during late autumn and winter on uncleared land or 

 fallow gi-ain flelds. At the b(\ginningof spring they are usually very 

 thin, but fatten rapidly from that time on. After three months of 

 spring pasturage they often weigh enough to be sent to the butcher. 

 A large number go to the markets of the colony, but there is also a 

 considerable export of live cattle. At Marseille, Algerian cattle sell 

 on the hoof at the rate of $9.50 to $10.50 per 100 pounds. At this 

 price there is a good proflt in cattle fattened in the pasture, but not 

 when fattened in the stable. 



^ Improved European races of cattle are not generally adapted to the 

 trying climatic conditions of Algeria; nor can they, like the native 

 cattle, endure well the periods of scanty food supply that these condi- 

 tions impose. Onl}' in the restricted areas, where irrigation allows of 

 the constant production of forage of good qualit}' , is anything to l)e 

 expected from the introduction of foreign breeds. In such localities 

 crossing high-])red races with the hardy Algerian cattle may prove 

 advantageous in increasing- the milk and beef producing capabilities 

 of the latter. 



HORSES. 



It is estimated that there are 210,000 horses in Algeria, four-fifths 

 of which are the propert}' of natives. Algerian horses belong to the 

 African type, with an admixture of Arabian blood. In its most 

 typical form the horse of Algei-ia is rather small and light, but is very 



