54 FOOD IN SOUTH AMERICA. 



These, when the prairie lands are devoted to their growth, will in- 

 crease astonishingly. The number of neat cattle in Great Britain has 

 been estimated at 5.100.000, one-fourth of which, or 1.275.000 are 

 annually slaughtered. The same proportion slaughtered in the United 

 States would be 4.304.330 head, affording here about 4 Ibs. for 1 con- 

 sumed in England, with any differences, probably, of weight, etc. The 

 difference too in swine, poultry, fish, and wild game, gives to the peo- 

 ple of the United States an advantage in animal food of probably not 

 less than six fold. The great difference also, as we have seen, in the 

 amount of the cereal grains, potatoes, &c., presents this disparity be- 

 tween the two countries in a still stronger light. 



The value of products of the dairy in the United States were esti- 

 mated, by returns of 18-10, at $33,787,008; (of which New-York pro- 

 duced about 10 millions) ; those of the orchard at $7,256,904 ; market 

 garden products $2,601,196; all of these, however, are considered 

 greatly below the true amounts. It is estimated that an American 

 consumes three times as much animal food as an European, with a 

 greater proportion of vegetable food, fruits, pastry, &c., or five times 

 as much as an East Indian. 



In Mexico the chief food of the laboring people is Indian corn, made 

 into bread, porridge, or cakes. Cassava, beans, and the natural fruits 

 of the country, constitute also a large proportion of aliment, with 

 chile used in large quantities as seasoning for pulse, &c. Wheat forms 

 a part of the food of the inhabitants of cities, where meat is also con- 

 siderably eaten. The banana is said to be to the people of the torrid 

 zone what the cereal grains are to Europe, and even what rice is to 

 India. It has been estimated that the same extent of ground appro- 

 priated to the banana in Mexico, and which will support fifty persons, 

 will not support under wheat in Europe, two persons. 



Cattle in other parts of South America are very abundant, both wild 

 and domestic ; and nothing but indolence can deprive the people of 

 abundant animal food. Some of the land proprietors have from 10 to 

 15,000 head. Half as many cattle are slaughtered in Caraccas as in 

 Paris, with twenty times the population. The cereal grains are greatly 

 imported in flour from the U. States. In Peru, maize is much eaten 

 in various ways, also potatoes, fish, eggs, cheese and onions. 150,000 

 gallons of wine are made from the fine grapes of this country. In Bra- 

 zil good wheat is raised, potatoes and fine fruits. The cultivated land 

 is extensive and rich. Still, the grains are not adequate to the wants 

 of the people. Cassava and kidney beans are the chief support of the 

 Indians. Cattle are very abundant in some parts, but here, as in some 

 other parts of South America, they are prized mostly for their hides. 

 Meal is much eaten in the provinces about Buenos Ayres by all classes. 

 Flour to a great extent is exported from this country to that city. The 

 beef is of superior flavor ; and great quantities are dried in the sun 



