46 STATES OF THE RIVER PLATE. 



effects, to determine on the requisite remedies, and to at 

 once check the decadence, and raise the type of our flocks. 



It will be recognised that the primary cause of all the 

 existing and impending evils, has been the absence of the 

 employment of a sufficient capital to form our flocks on 

 the higher types, and of the labour and care needful to 

 develop to the utmost all the good qualities calculated to 

 give solid and enduring value to this most important 

 branch of national industry. The principle hitherto (I 

 speak generally) has been to look for profit in increase 

 of numbers rather than in the increase of intrinsic value 

 in the individuals ; and under this aspect, people have 

 considered their flocks as not worth taking care of (or 

 expending money on), as care and attention is understood 

 in other countries. 



There is a limit, however, even to the profitable increase 

 of numbers, without regard to intrinsic merit. Vast tracts 

 of camp have already more stock than they can carry, 

 and a great evil is imminent therefrom.* Allied with 

 this erroneous principle, and being part of it, is what is 

 known as the Medianero system as hitherto carried out. 

 So long as flock-masters were content with mere increase 

 of numbers as the source of profit, and sought to obtain 

 this profit without direct outlay of capital, it answered 

 well for both parties ; but it has been, and ever must be, 

 fatal to any great improvement in class and quality of 

 sheep. The estanciero could not afford to employ the 

 requisite capital in the improvement of flocks, as in such 

 case the medianero would have reaped an undue advan- 

 tage ; and on the other hand, the medianeros had not the 



* To such a point has this reached, that I have little doubt, ere long, 

 sheep ' al corte ' (all round) will not find purchasers at 15$ and 20$ each ; 

 they will be only worth the skin and fat. When capitals are brought into 

 play to stock more distant lands there will be a reaction. 



