92 THE WORLD'S MEAT FCTLRE 



has been more written ahont, and less visited. Three hundred 

 years ago, tlie Jesnits recognised the value of this unique position 

 at the navigable limit of the two great rivers. In 1732, previous 

 to the decree that broke their ixnvei-, the pioneer monks had 

 brought • under their control upwards of 200,000 Indians, 

 collected in the tliirty settlements from which Misiones takes 

 its name to-day. The ridge, which runs through the centre of 

 the territory to the coast plateau of Brazil is covei'ed with 

 extensive pine forests (Araucaria Brazilensis),. and amongst 

 them are scattered clumps of "yerba mate," the universal brew 

 that takes the place of tea to the working man in the Plate. The 

 lower part of the land, which borders the rivers, is covered 

 with valuable hardwoods. But the stock-growing instinct of 

 the latter-day Argentine colonist is opposed to tropical pioneer- 

 ing, so in spite of the glowing description of scientific enthusiasts, 

 the greater part of Misiones is not only uninhabited, but even 

 unexplored. 



"The falls on tlie Iguazu River, dividing the north of Misiones 

 from Brazil, are of greater height and extent than tho.se of 

 Niagara, though their volume is not so great or so constant. The 

 following are the measured dimensions: — Height of Niagara, 150 

 to 164 ft.; width, 2260 ft.; height of Iguazu, 200 to 210 ft.: 

 width, 9000 ft. (nearly). 



"The factor wdiich must influence tlie colonist in his ehoiee of 

 a site more than any other in Argentina is that of transport, 

 and transport here means the railroad. The only navigable 

 rivers tap a tropical zone, which is less suited for white colonists 

 than the healthy south. From the Plate to the Straits of 



Magellan, Bahia Blanca is the only port worthy of the name. 

 On the railroads, therefore, lies the burden of the country's 

 business, and their successful numagement is vital to its 

 prosperity. 



"Settlers are often tempted by tlie low price of rich lands into 

 purchasing farms far beyond the railway zone. This is a good 

 investment for the capitalist, but not for the working farmer. 

 Against the cheapness of the land must be placed the cost of 

 transport, which remains as a constant charge on the propei'ty, 

 w^hile the want of touch with markets means the loss of many a 

 good bargain. 



"If, however, he has elected to try his fortune there, the farmer 

 should rent land rather than buy it, cut his expenses down to the 

 low^est possi])le limit, and put all his nu)ney into his stock. To 



