The agents have their offices on the grounds, and every 

 facility for carrying on the trade is amply provided for. 



In the laifages we found a consignment of fat cattle owned 

 by J. W. Snell, which I presume were justly pronounced about 

 the best bred ana Scst finished 'lot of Canadian cattle which 

 had landed there during the past shipping season. The gen- 

 tleman who was showing us round, remarked : "What a pity 

 that all our Canadian cattle are not like these." This led to an 

 assertion being made which substantiated the statement con- 

 tained at the foot of page 4 of my annual report for 1897, 

 viz.: " It is evident to all interested observers that year by 

 year Canadian cattle are failing to hold their own in quality, 

 and the time has come when they must be improved by the 

 importation of fresh blood from abroad." 



We were shown a large number of United States cattle evi- 

 dently from the far west. They were good rough cattle, but 

 capable of being much better finished. A consignment of Argen- 

 tine Republic cattle was also shown us,and here I saw convincing 

 evidences of the adaptability of that country for stock-raising. 

 Owing to the climate, the cattle get no check on their growth. 

 Their coats are as fine as those of groomed horses, they are 

 large (over 1,400 pounds each), and show evidence of short 

 horn crossing on long horned, probably Spanish cattle. It is 

 well known that the Argentines have been the most extensive 

 purchasers of thoroughbred cattle in Britain for years back, 

 and it is quite evident that they can raise them much more 

 cheaply and incur fewer losses than can be expected in the 

 west of Canada or the United States, and, if we would derive 

 the benefits of our nearness to British markets, as compared 

 with them, we must produce cattle of the most improved and 

 most profitable breeds. 



These in the estimation of men in the trade are Shorthorns 

 (Scotch in preference), Polled Angus, Galloways, Herefords 

 and South Devons (which are larger than the North Devons) 

 and Sussex. 



The hardy Scotch shorthorn is most favoured for Canadian 

 purposes. 



At Glasgow I visited the market and was present at some of 

 the sales of both horses and cattle. 



