22 



CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



Our total exports of salted beef in 1884 amounted to 42,379,911 pounds, 

 valued at $3,202,275, of which 31,410,557 pounds, valued at $2,410,557, 

 went to Europe ; 9,652,709 pounds, valued at $708,934, to countries in 

 America; and 313,200 and. 227,390 pounds to Asia and Africa, respect- 

 ively. The United Kingdom took the principal portion of this product, 

 as of all the other cattle products reviewed, oleomargarine excepted, no 

 less than 26,831,030 pounds, valued at $2,058,383, going thither. 



Our total exports of cattle and cattle products during the year 1884 

 were as follows : 



CATTLE-BREEDINGr IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



As remarked at the beginning of this letter, those portions of tho 

 consular reports which deal with the many-sided, and, it may be added, 

 finely-shaded subject of cattle-breeding in the various countries, the 

 cattle most suitable for export to the United States, the best modes 

 and routes of imports hither, the various phases of dairy farming, &c., 

 do not adapt themselves to statistical analyses in any more condensed 

 forms than those given in the various reports themselves; hence, these 

 portions of the general subject are left untouched. 



As was to be expected from the nature of the interests involved and 

 the conditions by which they are surrounded, many of the consular re- 

 ports treat of the same breeds of cattle, and many seem to have the 

 appearance of repetition. Care has been taken, however, to guard 

 against such repetition, while, at the -same time, giving due considera- 

 tion to the efforts and labors of the consuls. Regard for consular efforts 

 is, however, herein conserved by regard for the general interests in- 

 volved, for the various reports, treating of the same breeds of cattle and 

 their relative merits, give a many-sided view of the same subject, and 

 hence serve to modify and correct each other ; for the admirers of special 

 breeds, without intending to be partial, are sure to paint their favorites 

 in colors too glowing. Hence the wisdom, as well as utility, of giving 

 the reports in full, leaving the intelligent cattle-breeders of the United 

 States to draw their own conclusions therefrom. 



One of the most interesting parts of the whole subject of cattle-breed- 

 ing is that relating to cross-breeding and its results in the several coun- 

 tries. In this connection, as well as in helping to show the modifications 

 and shadiugs which change of countries, or districts within countries, 

 has effected on what are called pure-bred cattle and on the cattle bred 

 from intermixture of the native breeds therewith, the illustrations which 

 accompany the reports will greatly aid the stock-breeders of the United 

 States in arriving at correct conclusions and immediate results results 

 which, it should be remembered, have been attained in the Old World 

 only by slow, patient, and costly effort; indeed, the whole experience 

 of Europe is herein laid open to our cattlemen and dairy farmers. 



As there is no portion of this vast subject which has produced more 

 heated discussion and honest difference of opinion among those directly 



