FOREWORD. 



In venturing to publish this book, the author does so with the 

 hope that it may be of service to those interested in the food 

 problems which are before us. It should also be of use to those 

 stock-owners all over the world who are anxious about the future 

 of the stock-raising industry. In describing area, climate, and 

 pastoral conditions of some of the Central American Republics 

 not visited by me during recent years, I have had recourse to 

 those splendid books, The Great States of South America, by 

 C. W. Domville-Fif e ; Brazil and the Brazilians, by G. J. Bruce; 

 Brazil in 1913, by J. C. Oakenfall ; Argentine and Uruguay, by 

 Gordon Ross; and Central America, by W. H. Koebel. 



It will be seen that I am not pessimistic as regards the meat 

 supply of the future, and I hold that for many years cattle and 

 sheep raising are going to be the most profitable of all indus- 

 tries. There are no better prospects for young men than in the 

 healthiest and cleanest of all professions — that of stock raising — 

 provided that before they launch out on their venture they obtain 

 the necessary practical knowledge and experience. Wool and 

 meat will always be in strong demand, and there is no sign that 

 either vnll be in over supply for many years. Governments 

 must assist and not handicap the stock-breeders, and minimum 

 prices, not maximum, should be the rule if prices have to be fixed 

 at all. The cities are entirely dependent upon the producer. 

 "Destroy your country, and the grass will grow in the streets 

 of your cities, but make the country prosperous and the cities 

 will jump ahead in prosperity." 



The Author. 



Nov. 6th, 1918. 



