WEST INDIES. 639 



WEST INDIES. 



CATTLE IN BEEMUDA. 



REPORT BY CONSUL ALLEN. 



In reply to circular o July 18, 1883, requesting information relative 

 to breeding cattle, I have to say no cattle are bred here that would 

 have any value whatever as stock breeders in the United States. 



The Bermuda cow is a small, scrawny animal, of a mongrel breed, 

 is a poor milker, giving only about 3 quarts of milk per day for eight 

 months of the year. A few cows have been imported from the United 

 States and Canada, but they do not do well as a rule, and though well 

 fed with grain, after one or two years they are no better than the na- 

 tive animals. 



The Bermuda grass is not adapted to stock-raising, and while it will 

 sustain animal life they will not thrive on it, and cows that are not fed 

 with grain are very poor. 



Neither butter nor cheese is made here, 



The native beef is rery poor and is rarely seen in the markets. 



No oxen are used here, and the male calves are slaughtered for veal, 

 except those kept for breeding purposes. 



CHAS. M. ALLEN, 



Consul. 



UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 



Bermuda, October 3 ? 1883. 



CATTLE IN SAN DOMINGO. 



REPORT SY CONSUL SIMPSON, OF PUERTO PLATA. 



I have the honor to return herewith blank which accompanied cattle 

 circular, filled to the best of my ability. 



The origin of the breed of cattle on this island seems to be unknown, 

 but is probably Spanish. They are small, give but little milk, and are 

 mainly raised for the butcher. 



Few are exported, and, as enough are raised for home consumption, 

 few imported. Bulls are used exclusively for draft purposes. They are 

 gentle and easily handled. No oxen are raised. 



Cows have been imported from the United States, but they never 

 seem to thrive, probably from the fact that they were imported from 

 States too far north to suit this warm climate. 



There does not seem to... be much desire to change or improve the 

 breed, although within a few days two bulls and one cow have been 

 imported from Porto Kico. These animals are said to have come from 

 Spain, and although not large are a decided improvement on the breed 

 here. 



THOMAS SIMPSON, 



UNITED STATES CONSULATE, Consul. 



Puerto Plata, November 20, 18S3. 



