382 CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



TRANSPORTATION OF BELGIAN CATTLE TO THE UNITED STATES. 



The intent of this dispatch would fail if I said nothing about trans- 

 portation. 



The law and regulations in force in the United States concerning 

 tariff, inspection, and entry can be better determined there. 



Cattle cannot be carried across the Atlantic with either safety or 

 profit in sailing vessels. Steamships do not always take them. They 

 must be offered in lots large enough to pay the expense of fitting up 

 stalls for their accommodation. It may be recognized as the rule that 

 steamships which carry passengers, either saloon or emigrant, will not 

 carry cattle. There, doubtless, are exceptions, but not many. The au- 

 thorities at New York object. 



The White Cross line of steamers, Steinmann & Ludwig, Antwerp, 

 agents, carry all the cattle from Belgium (and I believe from Holland) 

 to the United States. They run to New York and to Montreal. 



These shipments have been (to New York) in summer of 1880, 169 

 cattle ; in summer of 1881, 230 cattle. 



Two shipments have been made this present season to Montreal. 



The prices are as follows : 



Per head. 



Bulls and cows on deck 5 



Yearlings ~ 4 



Calves 3 



Under deck, additional * 1 



The ship puts up the stalls and supplies the water; feed and men to 

 care for the cattle are for shipper's account. French, Edge & Co., of 

 New York, are agents for this line. 



Canada has been interesting herself in the manner suggested to 

 Americans in this dispatch. She has imported, for breeding purposes 

 alone, from Belgium during the past year 62 head of cattle, and from 

 England 32 bulls, 336 cows, and 21 calves, while her exports for beef 

 have been, during the year 1880, to England alone, 50,905 head. 



As to transportation : Mr. John C. Moosily, agent Eed Star steamers, 

 Antwerp ; Steinmann & Ludwig, agents White Cross steamers, Ant- 

 werp; Wambersie & Son, ship-brokers, Rotterdam. 



EXPORTATION OF AMERICAN HORSES TO BELGIUM. 



Of course no recommendation of mine or indeed of any consul could 

 be accepted upon our judgment solely or "without examination and trial, 

 but I venture to express my belief that a good business man a judge 

 of horses and cattle could make a profitable business by the importa- 

 tion of cattle to the United States, as I have suggested, and, for a return 

 cargo, exporting horses for use in Belgium, Holland, and France. The 

 prices are high here, and for light driving and riding horses I think 

 remunerative prices could be obtained. 



This trade is already commenced, but is in its infancy. I hope my 

 notice of it will attract the attention of those concerned. 



A cargo of 60 American horses (mares) were landed within the past 

 month at Bruges, in this consular district, and sold there at auction, 

 bringing fair and satisfactory prices. 



