THE AKGENTINE REPUBLIC. 



617 



In regard to the first point, I have the opinion of a large buyer of 

 hides, that so soon as the cross with Durham bulls became appreciably 

 felt in number, the price of Argentine hides would fall, owing to their 

 depreciation in quality. At present, I believe the hides of this part of 

 South America stand pre-eminent for their strength ; and it hardly seems 

 reasonable to suppose that to cross the native stock with a breed which 

 has for a century or more been carefully wintered and pampered will 

 have the effect to improve the quality of the hide. The reverse would 

 naturally seem to be the effect. For this reason there is a growing 

 preference manifested for the Hereford bulls, on the ground that they 

 have been bred in a more natural way, have a far stronger hide than 

 the Durham, and can better take care of themselves on the great plains 

 of the Argentine Eepublic. For it must be borne in mind that no pro- 

 vision is ever made in this country for protectin g cattle from the weather. 

 Such a thing as cattle sheds or winter feeding is entirely unknown, and 

 the cold winds and severe storms which come over the southwestern 

 Andes prove fatal to immense numbers of the native cattle every year. 

 And it cannot be considered strange if the offspring of blooded stock, 

 which have received the best treatment of Europe, should be unable to 

 retain a vigorous and healthy constitution under the hard conditious 

 which they are subjected to here. 



So far as the second point is concerned, it is probably true that the 

 Herefords are better able to stand the winters of this country than the 

 Dnrhams, but it is certain that neither has the enduring qualities of 

 the native cattle that for three hundred years, through all sorts of rough 

 weather, have become accustomed to look out for themselves. And it 

 must be admitted that, so far as body and weight are considered, the 

 native breed has much to recommend it besides its hide. In some re- 

 spects these cattle remind me of what at home we call the Texas or 

 Arkansas "stags," tall and long-bodied, with immense spreading horns, 

 of no prevailing color, but of all colors ; and when well filled out by the 

 rich pasturage of the pampas they present a most stately, not to say 

 handsome, appearance, the work oxen being wonderful specimens of 

 '>*^rength and docility. It is only in the province of Buenos Ayres that 

 fcuy particular attempts have been made to improve the breed. 

 f The last census (1881) classifies the stock of the province as follows: 



Class. 



Number in 

 the prov- 

 ince. 



Value. 



' Native cattle 



English and other blood animals - . . 

 ]ffixed breeds (Bngliah. and native) 



Work oxen 



Milch cows 



Total 



4, 037, 084 

 22,219 



380(059 

 88, 008 



221,440 



$38, 756, 006 

 4, 4i3; 800 

 7, 721, 180 

 2, 816, 266 

 6, 200, 000 



4, 754, 810 



69, 937, 242 



MILCH COWS AND EtTTTEE-MAKING IN THE AEGENTINE EEPtTBLIC. 



The small number of milch cows in the province of Buenos Ayres 

 compared with the total number of cattle will attract attention, while 

 in the other provinces, could the figures be obtained, the discrepancy 

 would be still greater ; whereas in the United States over one-third of 

 all the Jiorned cattle of the country are cows kept for dairy purposes. 

 This shows the meager proportions which the latter industry has yet 



