1 I THE WORLD'S MEAT FUTURE 



arc attributed to climatic conditions, the severe drought of 

 1915-16 causing many deaths. Some recovery was, how- 

 ever, effected last year as a result of the more favourable 

 season. 



" Shipments from the two freezing works at Monte Video 

 amounted to 72,250 tons, as compared with 43,900 tons in 

 1916. With the important new freezing works erected by the 

 Morris Beef Co. at Monte Video in operation, some further 

 increase in exports is looked for in 1918. 



" Brazil. — The export trade from Brazil has expanded in a 

 remarkable manner, and that country bids fair soon to become 

 one of the most important sources of meat supply. In 1915, 

 the first year of trading, the exports were 8000 tons ; in the 

 following year they increased to 33,130 tons ; while last year 

 66,450 tons of beef were shipped — chiefly to the Continent, for 

 the Italian and French Armies. The beef is small and very 

 suitable for these countries, though it would hardly be big 

 enough for the best trade in this market. There are now four 

 freezing establishments in Brazil, with several others in course 

 of construction or in contemplation ; and everything points to 

 there being a further expansion in exports during the coming 

 year. The number of cattle in Brazil is estimated at 30,000,000 

 head, the bulk of which, however, are still of somewhat poor 

 quality. 



" Patagonia. — The whole output of mutton and lamb from 

 the Patagonian freezing works in 1917 was purchased by the 

 British Government. The quality proved to be quite satis- 

 factory. The mutton was reserved for Army use, but small 

 quantities of lamb were released from time to time for sale to 

 the public through the usual channels. Shipments during the 

 year amounted to 18,700 tons, as compared with 11,986 tons 

 in 1916, and 7863 tons in 1915. 



" United States. — The latest returns published by the United 

 States Bureau of Statistics in January, 1918, estimate the 

 number of cattle at present in that country at 66,830,000 head, 

 an increase of 3,100,000 (or 4-9 per cent) over the previous 

 year's total of 63,700,000 head, and 18-2 per cent more than 

 the low-water mark in 1913, when only 56,527,000 head were 

 recorded. Sheep were returned at 48,900,000 head, as com- 



