288 CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



The statistics of 1883 are not yet at hand, but the exports and im- 

 ports of horned stock for 1881 and 1882 were, respectively, as follows : 



IMPORTS. 



From France 44,515 



From Germany - 42,708 



From Austria 20, 135 



From Italy -. - 3,082 



Total neat cattle 110,500 



Calves, all countries 1,159 



Total for 1881 111,059 



Total for 1882 - 116,000 



EXPORTS. 



To Franco 13,181 



To Germany 20,188 



To Austria 4,004 



To Italy 19,805 



Total Gf>,3:W 



Calves 9,861 



There were exported during 1881 and 1882 a few choice Brown cattlo 

 to the United States for breeding purposes, but as they were shipped 

 via Antwerp, and therefore crossed the Swiss frontier into Germany, 

 they are probably included in the registered exports from that country. 



The beef cattle which are now imported into Switzerland from Ger- 

 many, Austria, and Italy are mostly large, raw-boned, and rather coarse- 

 looking animals, rough-haired, long-homed, and wanting in most of the 

 essential points of highly bred stock. 



PRICES AND EXPORTS OF CHOICE SWISS CATTLE. 



The export of fine dairy and breeding cattle from Switzerland to ad- 

 jacent countries, as well as to England and the United States, is in- 

 creasing so rapidly that prices have advanced largely during the past 

 two years. At a cattle fair in Sargans early in October of this year, I 

 was told that the sales showed an average advance of 50 francs per 

 head for all classes, as compared with values a year ago. 



As early as August buyers from Italy and other countries appear in 

 force in the mountain districts, and many of the choicest animals are 

 picked up by them before the cantonal fairs of September and October 

 begin, and it is claimed by good authorities that this increasing popu- 

 larity of Swiss cattle in foreign countries and the growing practice of 

 selling the milk from many dairy forms directly to large milk-condens- 

 ing establishments is having a pernicious effect upon, the cattle and the 

 people of the rural cantons. On the one hand, the sale and export of 

 so many of the choicest animals tends naturally to check the improve- 

 ment of the stock; while, on the other hand, the daily sale of milk for a 

 liberal cash price tempts the thrifty Switzer to work for immediate re- 

 sults rather, than use part of his daily milk product in raising calves. 



So that while the outflow of fine stock to other countries is increas- 

 ing, the supply of such animals has not increased in due proportion. 



