426 SCIENCE IN AFRICA 



indigenous cattle as likely to have better results in the long run. 

 In the French and Belgian territories cattle improvement is like- 

 wise an important part of the work of agricultural and veterinary 

 departments. Cattle are raised on the experimental farms men- 

 tioned in Chapter XII and distributed to native farmers, and 

 breeding and nutrition are the subject of scientific study. French 

 authorities have concentrated on sheep rather than cattle (see 

 later), but in French West Africa three French cattle breeds, the 

 Charollaise, Normande, and Tarentaise, have been introduced 

 with varying success. 



In the Belgian Congo the only stock-raising areas of note are in 

 the highlands near the eastern frontier, in the districts of Uele, 

 Ituri, Kivu, and Katanga. In Uele the native breed is improved 

 by crossing with bulls of Shorthorn blood, introduced by the 

 Mission de Buta. Ituri produces many beef catde, and both ranch- 

 ing and kraaling are practised. The most scientific methods of 

 breeding seem to be practised at Nioka, where the aim is to pro- 

 duce beasts suitable for both milking and beef. Records are kept 

 of milk yields quantitatively and qualitatively, of the weight of 

 cows and calves, and of rate of growth and development, and 

 . artificial feed is used extensively to supplement the poor pasturage 

 (Congo Beige 1934 onwards). In order to supply beef and milk for 

 markets in other parts of the Congo, cattle have been introduced to 

 certain areas in the Bas Congo and elsewhere, and meat is supplied 

 to markets at Boma, Matadi, Thysville, and Leopoldville, though 

 at a high price. The chief breed used is that from Angola, which 

 has been imported for many years. It has been crossed with various 

 improved types, including the Hereford, Devon and Ayrshire, to 

 improve milk and beef, and also the Friesland, Afrikander, and 

 Breton. As in other parts of equatorial Africa, these breeding 

 experiments have not produced the results hoped for, since the 

 qualities which have been gained have not compensated for the 

 loss of the stamina possessed by the native cattle. This danger is 

 fully recognized, and the selection of native stock is proceeding 

 side by side with grading up. Most of this work is directed to the 

 improvement of milking and beef, but draught animals are being 

 developed at Kisantu and Kitobola. In addition to the Angolan 

 race, cattle have been introduced from Dahomey and Conakry, 



