218 THE WORLD'S MEAT FUTURE 



One could not but notice the numerous flocks of goats, Persian 

 sheep, and bastard sheep without picturing the state of atfairs 

 when these nondescript flocks had been rei)laced by pure-wooUed 

 sheep. 



Then the necessity for draining swamps, and providing pure 

 sources of water supply, planting trees for shelter purposes, and 

 grazing flocks within fenced areas, instead of shepherding them 

 all day and kraaling them at night, were being realised by pro- 

 gressive sheepfarmers. Another factor most noticeable was the 

 splendid efforts on the part of the South African Government 

 to develop the sheep and wool industry. Experimental farms 

 and colleges were established throughout the Union. The ser- 

 vices of capable experts were at the disposal of sheepowners, and 

 behind it all was a magnificent laboratory of research conducted 

 by Sir Arnold Theiler, devoted to assisting stockowners in com- 

 bating the numerous and deadly diseases that affect live stock 

 in South Africa. 



All these facts have counted in the development of the sheep 

 and wool industry in South Africa, but another factor might well 

 be mentioned. 



After the smoke of the Boer War had cleared away, the African 

 farmer of Boer extraction saw that he was only eighteen or 

 twenty days from the London market. He appreciated the proxi- 

 mity to such a market, and he set out to develop a connection 

 with it. At the time of the Boer War South Africa imported 

 large quantities of meat, chiefly from Australia, and for years 

 after the war these importations continued. The imports of 

 beef and mutton in 1903 (excluding the quantities brought into 

 South Africa by Orange Free State) were valued at £2,885,000; 

 in 1906, £757,000; in 1913, £105,000; and in 1915, £593, so that 

 the quantities steadily diminished each year, until in 1915 they 

 almost reached vanishing point. On the other hand, exports show 

 a consistent increase from 1914, when 55 tons, valued at £2,408, 

 were sent overseas ; in 1915, 2,274 tons, value £86,000 ; and in 

 1916 5,520 tons, of a total value of £215,735, 2,150 tons being 

 for civilian and 3,370 tons for army purposes. The figures of 

 last year are not yet available, but the estimate is 21,000 tons — 

 1,000 tons for tlie United Kingdom and 20,000 tons for the 

 Army, all these quantities being exclusive of supplies for ships' 

 stores. 



Australia has a particular interest in the development of the 

 sheep and wool industry of South Africa, because South African 



