RHODESIA 163 



Mr. Walsh said: — 



"During the past two years, we have got together 35,000 

 cattle, of which 22,000 are on the Rhodesdale ranch, and the 

 balance on the other two. So far, we are simply building up 

 the herds, and we are only disposing of the old cattle. Beyond 

 that, we expect to put practically nothing on the market for three 

 years. At present, we are going on the theory of twenty acres 

 per animal. That is the proportion we are thinking of before 

 starting to export. 



Building up the Herds. 



"The foundation of the herds is native cattle, with the excep- 

 tion of 2500 better bred colonial cows from the Cape. At present 

 we are using a number of Afrikander bulls, in addition to some 

 Shorthorns, Herefords, Polled Angus, and North Devons. These 

 I consider as the breeds that will probably do best in Rhodesia. 

 I have every confidence in the country as a great cattle country. 

 It is notorious that the herds of Lobengula 's days were a good 

 deal better than the present-day cattle in Rhodesia, more 

 particularly in size. They had been bred with some care, and 

 it is evident that Lobengula and his head-men had the instinct 

 of stock breeders. They also had, from long experience, an 

 expert knowledge of the best grazing localities. 



"Mainly the rinderpest and other diseases threw the cattle 

 back ; but we need not fear that sort of thing now, as we have 

 a very efficient veterinary department, and cattle are rendered 

 immune by inoculation. From my experience in other countries, 

 I consider Rhodesia a very healthy cattle country. It certainly 

 has no more disease than any other country, and with our 

 veterinary department and the practice of general dipping, all 

 these will be eradicated. 



"The grasses in Rhodesia have better fattening properties 

 than in any other ranching country I know. Very little extra 

 feeding is necessary in the dry months — just enough to help one 

 to take care of the weak cattle. T know of no other country in 

 which cattle carry their condition as they do in Rhodesia 

 through what may be regarded as the 'bad months' from the 

 stockf armers ' standpoint. 



Coming Beef Exports. 

 "Our aim for the next few years is to produce a better type 

 of beef animal in much larger numbers before establishing our 

 export trade. Wliile we are building up our herds in this way, 



