232 THE WORLD'S MEAT FUTURE 



Building up the Herds 



" The foundation <>f the herds is native cattle, with the ex- 

 ception of 2600 better bred colonial cows from the Cape. At 

 present we are using a number of Afrikander bulls, in addition 

 to some Shorthorns, Herefords, Polled Angus, and North 

 Devons. These I consider as the breeds that will probably do 

 best in Rhodesia. I have every confidence in the country as a 

 ureal eat tie country. It is notorious that the herds of Loben- 

 gula's days were a good deal better than the present-day cattle 

 in Rhodesia, more particularly in size. They had been bred 

 with some care, and it is evident that Lobengula and his head- 

 men had the instinct of stock breeders. They also had, from 

 long experience, an expert knowledge of the best grazing 

 localities. 



" Mainly the rinderpest and other diseases threw the cattle 

 back ; but we need not fear that sort of thing now, as we have 

 a very efficient veterinary department, and cattle are rendered 

 immune by inoculation. From my experience in other coun- 

 tries, I consider Rhodesia a very healthy cattle country. It 

 certainly has no more disease than any other country, and with 

 our veterinary department and the practice of general dipping, 

 all these will be eradicated. 



" The grasses in Rhodesia have better fattening properties 

 than in any other ranching country I know. Very little extra 

 feeding is necessary in the diy months — just enough to help 

 one to take care of the weak cattle. I know of no other country 

 in which cattle carry their condition as they do in Rhodesia 

 through what may be regarded as the ' bad months ' from the 

 stock-farmers' standpoint. 



Coming Beef Exports 



" Our aim for the next few years is to produce a better type 

 of beef animal in much larger numbers before establishing our 

 export trade. While we are building up our herds in uhis way, 

 there will be a growing surplus of cattle not required for the 

 purpose. The great present want of Rhodesia is a canning 

 factory, and I am glad to say there is every prospect of one 



