36 STATES OF THE RIVER PLATE. 



ments the ultimate result cannot be doubtful, as the 

 principle of greater domestication is applied, and the best 

 pasture lands are dedicated to the cross-bred herds, by 

 which the tolerably even growth of the young animals is 

 secured, and the breeding stock not allowed to fall into 

 absolute low condition. A decidedly improved stock will, 

 therefore, be created on these estancias, and in the course 

 of time, a not very far distant time, their superior qualities 

 as beef makers and fat producers will be recognised, and 

 a profitable use will be found for them. The cities and 

 large towns cannot long continue indifferent to the 

 existence in their vicinity of animals that will yield a 

 superior meat, in much larger proportion per head, under 

 a system of at least 'half-fatting,' and the call from 

 Europe for meat supplies, must sooner or later induce 

 the possessors of well-bred herds to take steps to put 

 their neats (steers) into a condition that will give beef 

 of a quality more or less ' up to the mark ' of European 

 requirements. The problem of ways and means of putting 

 cattle into at least a fair condition, has yet to be solved. 

 As it is totally new ground, men hesitate to take the 

 initiative. 'The growing necessity, however, must compel 

 it, and a company of breeders and others might very well 

 make the venture ; they could do so with small individual 

 risk, and with every prospect of a highly satisfactory result. 



Such an undertaking, an initiatory and experimental 

 one, would have necessarily to be placed under the direc- 

 tion of a party, or parties, having a good practical and 

 theoretical knowledge of cattle-feeding, and also of the 

 country, its climate, products, and agricultural capabilities, 

 accompanied by perseverance and zeal. 



The locality should be well chosen, and within a rea- 

 sonable distance from, and easy reach of, the city. The 

 cattle with which the experiment should be made should 



