136 MOZAMBIQUE 



head per five hectares, the grazing capacity of 

 the district amounts to 800,000 head. The total 

 number in existence at present is 45,000. With 

 the exception of the circumscription of Chibuto, 

 north of the Limpopo, the district is now clear 

 of East Coast fever, and, as far as is known, try- 

 panosomiasis occurs only in a small area defined 

 by the right bank of the Maputo Eiver and the 

 coast. Stock-raisers have therefore a clean field 

 to begin upon. 



It is not possible to say what breed of cattle 

 is best suited for stocking these grazing grounds 

 or for crossing with the native cattle to improve 

 their weight and milking qualities and hasten 

 their growth towards maturity, as systematic 

 breeding only began with two or three herds 

 when the country was cleared of East Coast fever 

 a few years ago. Mr. Goldsbury, of Messrs. 

 Merson and Goldsbury, Umbeluzi, prefers the 

 Eriesland. Six years ago the herd, reduced by 

 the ravages of East Coast fever, numbered 23 

 head, of which 8 were cows. From these 8 cows 

 an increase of 114 has sprung, a tribute to the 

 Friesland cross, the Umbeluzi pastures, and, we 

 may add, the judgment of these pioneer graziers 

 of the Umbeluzi Valley. Kecent purchases have 

 brought the total up to 174 head, and operations 

 are satisfactorily established for building up a 



