278 



Journal op the Department of Aoriculture. 



CATTLE IN THE UNION. 



The Trade in Beef. 



In view of the importance of our cattle iiuUistry and tlie place it is 

 expected to take as a source of the world's meat supply, the following 

 statistics will be of interest to all concerned in the development of 

 the industry. 



The number of cattle in the Union and the increase of 

 our herds during" the past fourteen years may be gauged from the 

 following table: — 



Number of Cattle in Each Province. 



Thus the number of live stock in the Union in 1918 was nearly double 

 (96 per cent, more) what it was in 1904 (when herds were depleted 

 after the Anglo-Boer war) and 18 per cent, greater than it was seven 

 years ago. 



Deaths of Cattle. — The following table shows the mortality 

 among cattle during the two Census years 1910-11 and 1917-18 owing 

 to disease and drought, also the percentage of deaths compared with 

 the total number of stock : — 



The estimated mortality caused by the drought of 1918-19 was 

 fully dealt with in the May; 1920, issue of the Joxirnal. 



Cattle in other Countries. — For purposes of comparing the posi- 

 tion of the Union with that of the principal cattle countries of the 

 world the following table is given: — 



* Including causes other than drought and disease. 



