388. CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



All live stock for consumption is of very inferior class, as Catalonians 

 feel no interest in stock breeding, bat are entirely absorbed in the cul- 

 tivation of the grape, almonds, nuts, and vegetables, besides general 

 manufacturing, especially of cotton and woolen fabrics. 

 Respectfully, 



FKED'K H. SCHEUC1I, 



UNITED STATES CONSULATE, Consul. 



Barcelona, December 12, 1883. 



CATTLE IN GALICIA. 



REPORT BY CONSUL CAIiRIQARTE, OF CORUNNA. 



I have the honor to forward the following statement respecting the 

 cattle of this province : 



The name of the cattle bred is Galician ; annual average pounds of 

 milk per head, 2,555; live weight per cow, 8 hundred-weight; live 

 weight per ox, 14 hundred- weight ; age at maturity, eight years ; weight 

 of meat at maturity, 7 hundred-weight ; color, yellow ; origin of breed, 

 Spain. 



Topography. The altitude of the grazing country vary between 10 

 feet and 260 feet. The mean temperature as recorded at the capital, 

 Gorunna, is 56 Fahrenheit. The soil is of tho most varied description 

 and embraces every quality. 



The substratum is most generally porous; limestone found in the east 

 and centre oi' the province, and granite around tho western coasts. 



Gultivation by rotation of crops is not practiced. Clover and rye- 

 grass are but little sown. On tho wheat stubble (in July) oats or barley 

 and turnips are sown to serve as green crops*for winter. 



Methods of housing. Common dark stables; manure usually cleared 

 out twice or thrice a year. 



Feeding. Almost all manger feeding as respects oxen, and pasture 

 for cows; much wet meadow land. 



Breeding. Selections of sires little attended to and consequent de- 

 generation as shown in lightness of hind quarters of tho beasts. 



Handling products. Hand labor being cheap but little machinery is 

 used, and the methods are primitive in the extreme. 



Stock. The stock of cattle is in excess of home demands. The sur- 

 plus is exported to England and may be calculated to reach 40,000 

 oxen annually; the medium price per head being $75. 



HOW TO EXPORT GALICIAN CATTLE TO THE UNITED STATES. 



The best method for transporting cattle to the United States is via 

 Liverpool or Plymouth, England; and the -freight paid to either of 

 these ports is $8 or $10 per head. The class of beasts for exportation 

 to the United States should be young oxen from sixteen to eighteen 

 months old, the price of which varies from $30 to $50 per beast. 



The inclosed photographs are taken from animals belonging to a 

 cargo for England, the price and age of each being noted. 



J, J)E CARRICARTE, 



Consul. 

 UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 



Corunna, March 31, 1884. 



