634 CATTLE AND DAIEY TAEMING. 



ECTJADOB. 



CATTLE BREEDING AND PRODUCTS OF CATTLE IN ECUADOR. 



BEPOIiT Br CONSUL BE ACS, OF GUAYAQUIL. 



In response to circular of July 18, 1883, asking informafion iu regard 

 to the breeding cattle and cattle products in Ecuador, the following 

 facts are given as derived from extensive cattle raisers in diflfereut sec- 

 tions : 



THE SEASONS IN ECUADOR. 



As an introduction, I will state that practically Ecuador has but two 

 seasons of the year — the dry and the rainy. The first usually begins 

 with June and ends with November, and the latter begins with De- 

 cember and ends with May. Eacli often begins or ends a mouth earlier 

 or later than the dates given. The " winter," or rainy season, is the 

 warmest by Irom 5° to 10°. Vegetation of all kinds grows most rapidly 

 during the rainy season, though the influence of the rain is extended 

 for several weeks beyond its cessation. There is usually every year 

 Irom four to five months when the pasturage is scarce and the cattle 

 have poor subsistence. There are abundant mountain streams that 

 during the dry period might be Utilized at small expense in irrigating 

 the land ; but the people have not yet reached that degree of agricult- 

 ural progress. 



MILK YIELD. 



During the dry season most of the cows give but little if any milk, and 

 the figures given in the subjoined table are for the quantity realized in 

 from six to eight months. The quantity stated (485 pounds' average per 

 cow per year) is given under the supposition that all the milk of the cow is 

 included, The general practice is to let the calves run with the cows dur- 

 ing the day, separate them at night in corrals, and milk the cows in the 

 morning. Thus they are milked but once a day, and the quantity is 

 not more than one-half of the product of the cow. 



Breeds. — The cattle of the country are all "native stock," and have 

 been bred in and in from time immemorial; the only changes have been 

 from one plantation to another. The effect of long inbreeding is degen- 

 erated animals — animals of small size — as shown by the table given, 

 and they are of every known cattle hue. The planters inform me that 

 there are no natural obstacles to the raising of as good stock here as in 

 any other part of the world. 



NUMBEE AND VALUE OF ECUADORIAN CATTLE. 



No well-authenticated census has ever been taken in Ecuador either 

 of the inhabitants or showing the exte^it of its industries and products 

 The actual population is apiwoximated very closely, but there is no data 

 showing the quantity or value of agricultural products, except of a very 

 tiew articles, nearly all of which are exported, their quantity and value 

 being derived from exportation statistics. In an endeavor to reach a 

 conclusion as to the quantity and value of the cattle stock I adopted 

 different methods. I sougbt to get an estimate by provinces, but could 



