170 THE MOULD'S MEAT FUTURE 



SOUTH AFRICA. 



The Union of South Africa, comprising Natal, Transvaal, 

 Orange State, and Cape Colony, continues rapidly to grow in 

 importance as a source of Empire meat supply. The pastoral 

 condition of the country is eminently suitabh^ for l)eef pi-oduction 

 on a large scale, and the existing herds of cattle, which in many 

 parts are being rapidly improved, already total 8,000,000 head. 

 Everywhere one sees efforts to improve the quality of the beef 

 and to make it suitable for the export trade. Freezing works are 

 being erected and enlarged at the various ports, and railways 

 are being extended. There is an ever-increasing demand for 

 stud cattle of both milk and beef breeds, and African buyers at 

 times almost equal those from the big South American Republic 

 in the prices they offer the British breeders. Even during 

 the war, continual consignments are being received. Under an 

 arrangement entered into some years ago, between the Union 

 Government of South Africa and the l^nion Castle ^Nlail Steam- 

 ship Company, it is provided that the shipping company shall 

 carry pedigree cattle freight free for a stipulated number of 

 years. No charge is made for freight, but a charge is made for 

 fodder and attendance of £4/15/- per head, and a very active 

 demand, and an increasing one, is being made for all descriptions 

 of high-class animals. Some years ago, Mr. Armour, of Chicago, 

 stated that, in his opinion, South Africa was the grandest 

 ranching country in the world ; it only needed brains, industry 

 and enterprise. Cattle since 1904 have increased from 3,500.000 

 to, in 1917, 8,000,000 head. 



Without doubt, South Africa is destined to be a beef-exporting 

 country on a large scale before many years are over. At 



present, the quality, all round, needs standardising, and the 

 butchering and dressing requires improving; but this is 

 undoubtedly being seen to by those who wish to see the industry 

 firmly and profitably established; they are details. 



The meat is now a more or less regular feature on Smithfield 

 market, and it is gradually becoming more regular in quality 

 as the producers become better ac(piainted with the market 

 needs. 



A very fine sample of South African beef was to be seen 

 recently in the Smithfield market. This was a consignment of 

 16 beasts, averaging 880 lbs. per body. The quarters made a 

 very fine show ; they were prize meat from the Johannesburg 

 Fat Stock Show, having been sent by the South African ^Meat 

 Export Company after exhibition in Johannesburg. The meat 



