364 CATTLE AND DAIRY FARM1-NG 



PRICES OF BELGIAN CATTLE. 



There were sold in the markets and fairs of the country in 1881, 186,- 

 262 milch cows, at a mean price of 300 francs per head ; 74,065 heifers, 

 at a mean price of 185 francs; of steers, there were sold 71,014, aver- 

 aging, per head, 366 francs ; and of young bulls, 33,431, at a mean 

 price of 165 francs. 



BELGIAN CATTLE FOR THE UNITED STATES. 



It will be necessarily inferred from the prices paid for the animals ot 

 these various classes in the open markets of the country that they could 

 not have been of a superior quality, and indeed this is the fact with 

 regard to all horned cattle bred in this country. So far as my own per- 

 sonal observation has served me, I am convinced that the farmers of 

 the United States have nothing to learn from this country in the mat- 

 ter of selective breeding and the production of valuable stock either 

 for the shambles or the dairy, and I do not hesitate to say that moro 

 fine bovine specimens of pure and crossed bloods may be seen in a dny 

 amongst the farmers of our Middle and Northwestern States than can 

 be found within the entire limits of this country. 



As before stated the small farmers and dairymen have lavished a 

 great amount of care upon their milch cows, and thus secure from them 

 a large daily yield of milk; but I doubt not that on every well-man- 

 aged farm or dairy in the United States there can be found cows that 

 in this quality will equal the best of this country. 



Finally, as a result of my personal observation and all the informa- 

 tion I have obtained from other sources, I am convinced that no impor- 

 tation of milch cows from this country could greatly improve our present 

 stock, and as to beef cattle, I have seen in the fields and stables of the 

 farmers of the United States, both Durhams and Devons, not only far 

 surpassing anything found in this country, but equal to the finest herds 

 bred in England, their native home. If, however, notwithstanding 

 these facts, any of our farmers feel inclined to test the improvement 

 expatriation will produce on any of the stock of this country, I would 

 recommend the Flemish cow as possessing qualities capable of a larger 

 and moro immediate improvement than any other of the native breeds, 

 and now that there is a fine line of steamers plying between New York 

 and Antwerp the experiment need not necessarily be an expensive one. 



THE EXPORT OF AMERICAN BEEF AND BEEF CATTLE TO BELGIUM. 



Whilst, however, I do not believe our stock growers can derive much 

 benefit from the importation of Belgian cattle, I am convinced that, 

 with proper management, an enterprise for the exportation to this 

 country direct, of both live cattle, beef, and mutton would pay a large 

 profit. In the herewith inclosed table, marked C, I have given the sell- 

 ing price of meat in the markets of the principal cities of this country, 

 which will serve as a basis of calculations from which the profits of 

 such an enterprise may be calculated, and I cannot but think that witli 

 the now regularly plying steamers between Antwerp, New York, and 

 Philadelphia, a large and profitable trade of this character could be 

 secured. 



JNO. WILSON, 



UNITED STATES CONSULATE, Comul 



Brussels, November 9, 1883. 



