128 THE WORLD'S MEAT FUTURE 



money, thai the margin left for improvements has been com 

 paratively small. The land tax, or ' contribution direct a. ? 

 favours such speculation. Its percentage on the value of pro- 

 perty is comparatively low, and is based on actual rather than 

 potential production. 



Although the province of Buenos Aires now leads in the 

 area laid down to agriculture as well as in the average yield 

 per .ure. there is no doubt that for many years her main in- 

 terests will still continue to be pastoral. ( )ne reason has already 

 been given for this — in the absence of agricultural stations. 

 Another is that although commercially the importance of a 

 new breed of wheat may equal that of blood stock, stock- 

 breeders on the Plate coast enjoy many advantages, or, rather, 

 a combination of advantages, which are denied their competi- 

 tors elsewhere. Few artificial foods are needed, and these, 

 consisting chiefly of maize and alfalfa, are grown at a minimum 

 cost. The grass which springs up after the introduction of 

 stock to a new pasture is extremely rich, while its growth is 

 practically unchecked throughout the year. In winter the 

 degree of cold seldom produces more than a slight hoar frost, 

 but loss is common among thin herds in the driving south-west 

 storms that in early spring sweep unchecked over the Pampas, 

 lasting sometimes from three to five days. 



'The natural fertility of their pastures has led many, I 

 might truthfully say the majority, of the farmers to risk 

 fully stocking their paddocks. This, greatly profitable in 

 a good year, is nevertheless equivalent to overstocking, 

 for a bad season must at times be reckoned with. With 

 no reserves to fall back upon, the result to the farmer is then 

 disastrous." 



The freezing companies are helping to improve Argentine 

 live-stock. Take shipments of pure-bred pigs, for instance ; 

 these are distributed through the country to the estanoieros 

 and farmer's at cost price, so as to help to improve the present 

 breed of pigs. Export of frozen pork is shortly to be very 

 large from the country. Another way the companies help is 

 in the prices they pay for champion steers at the fat-stock 

 show. This is done to encourage the breeders to go in for high 

 quality. At a recent show the champion steer fetched £2190, 





