ARGENTINE PROSPECTS 43 



Alfalfa are the best fattening area in the world, 

 these pastures are not so satisfactory as grass 

 lands for breeding purposes. The recent returns 

 of a well-managed estancia with a stock of 30,000 

 cattle, showed an increase of only 50 per cent, 

 from the heifer stock, and 83 per cent, from cows, 

 the average increase being 75 per cent, of the 

 breeding stock. The estancieros who annually 

 rear their own calves are reaping the benefit of the 

 high prices which now prevail, but those who have 

 depended on their ability to buy steers for 

 fattening are finding the scarcity of stock a serious 

 handicap. 1 The latest advices from the Argentine 

 report that the shortage of stock is reflected 

 in the lower rents obtained for alfalfa pastures, 

 considerable areas being unlet from this cause. 

 In view of the foregoing we are scarcely called 



1 The following shows the rise in prices of cattle and 

 sheep during the last year : 



£1 2s. 6d. . . £1 8s. 



