596 CATTLE AND DAIKY FAKMING. ' 



CATTLE IN LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



REPORT BT CONSUL TIOSOA, OF LA PAZ. 



The rancheros or cattle-breeders of the peninsula are still ignorant of 

 the far superior breeds existing in other countries. The cattle introdnced 

 into the territory by the first Spanish settlers ha\?e continued to be the, 

 propagating breed, and not until a few years ago did the farmers tit 

 La Paz and around San Jos6 and Oape San Lucas, who are in frequent 

 business communication with the people of Upper California, learn the 

 existence elsewhere of other kinds of stock of greater superiority than 

 their long run out breed of Spanish cattle. Hence the introduction of 

 American breeding stock from California -has practically evinced that 

 the offspring resulting from the native or Spanish and American cattle 

 are already giving much better results, and this has created consider- 

 able sensation among farmers and cattle-breeders here. 



It would be very difficult to ascertain the total number of. cattle in 

 the district, and more so the percentage of the two existing breeds. 

 The stock now in the country is not only sufficient for home demands, 

 but also to partly supply the Gulf border States with dried beef and 

 tallow, besides shipping^ yearly an approximate amount of 12,000 hides 

 to the United States and Europe, notwithstanding the mortality of 

 cattle caused by the scarcity of rains during the previous years. 



To make a report of anything near the requirement of the memoranda 

 is beyond possibility. 



JAS. VIOSOA, 



Consul. 



United States Consulate, 



La Paz, December 6, 1883. 



