190 STATES OF THE RIVER PLATE. 



such circumstances, it is within fair calculation to estimate 

 the clip of 1870 at a value of over 3,000/., assuming 

 16,000 sheep shorn. 



On the usual system of management with rams of low 

 value, say 200,^' to 500^ each, the calculation under good 

 average circumstances is, as I have said, that flocks double 

 themselves in three years. Thus, 5,000 sheep would 

 give 10,000 in three years, and 20,000 in six years, with 

 the weight of fleece and value of wool stationary. 



The facilities for the sale of wethers for the butcher 

 depend altogether on the situation of the estancia. Dis- 

 tant establishments, and most of those in the Banda 

 Oriental and Eutre Eios are at a disadvantage in this 

 particular, and this circumstance undoubtedly affects in 

 some degree the prices of land in these parts. 



The relative cost of management, shepherds, &c. is 

 affected by the value of the stock. It costs more per 

 head to take greater care than that usually bestowed on 

 flocks, as it does also to carry out a better and more 

 complete system ; but this is more than compensated by 

 the smaller direct loss in the sheep ; the per centage of 

 costs and charges are relatively much higher on sheep of 

 comparatively small value. The amount of management 

 charges is also affected by the residence or non-residence 

 of the owner on an establishment, rendering necessary or 

 otherwise the employment of a manager, the extent of 

 the estancia, number of flocks, and the staff required to 

 overlook large concerns. 



There are, as a matter of course, certain items which it 

 is needless to enlarge upon, as they apply to aU businesses 

 and are well understood by business men. 



I have in another part of this work indicated the great 

 advantages derivable from fencing or enclosing estancia 

 lands. The difiiculty of doing this arises from the want 



