GG2 CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



The buffalo i< about- the size of our ox of a dull steel-grin" color, 



ti at time* ol' pinki>h-whi'.e. 



The animal serves as the ox when aihe. a::u is slaughtered for food. 

 The meat is. however, much tougher and cnarvev than that of ordinary 

 beef, does not cost as much, and as a result is only consumed by na- 

 \\\\ s and tiu i poorer classes geiieially. :I!s food is grass, and experi- 

 ence hei e has proven tliat ho thrives besr when not kraalled, but allowed 

 *o graze at laige ; ? .nd in the ])eighborh<'^d of a ]>end or slow-running 

 stream <f water. A brJi'alo will invariably take to this water, immerse 

 himself up to his in:ck. and ir-niaiu there happy and content for live or 

 six hours every d;\v if lie ran. 



C'ei'tain portions of this island LUX! Sumatra have suffered nraeh during 

 Ihe pas! four or live years from a plague attacking tin's cattle, and the 

 govt rnmenl ha ; done all it vrcil could to };rcvent a s])rcad of the dis- 

 case, with fairly satisfactory results. The, plan adopted has been to 

 promptly kill any animal atiacked, and in many cases those with it in 

 the same herd. Farmers in ;-evoral cases have cried out against this 

 system as entailing unnecessary expe:i>( i iir.'-m the government (who 

 make good the value, to the owner) and hardship up-.ai the farmers. 



it certainly is seen that the treatmci,;, to \vl;ich these animals have 

 been subjected by European veterinary surgeons, in kraalling them and 

 preventing their free access to the water, has not brought about the an- 

 ticipated result, for many sound beasts have bce:i found to get ill under 

 it, thus causing the extermination of ail 



OSCAIJ. IIATF1ELI). 

 Consul. 



CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES. 



Hatavia, January 11, 18S4. 



