ECUADOR. 635 



only ascertain that near Santa Eosa every 25 miles square would con- 

 tain 10,000 head ; at Loga, the same area, 20,000 head, but for a large 

 extent of the country no kind of an estimate could be obtained. Fi- 

 nally an estimate of the number of c&.ttle killed in the country per day 

 was made, based on known numbers of cattle consumed by a known 

 number of inhabitants. By this method it was ascertained that the 

 number of cattle slaughtered daily is about 1,000, or 365,000 per year. 

 As the cattle are sold at an average of five years old it makes the whole 

 number of live animals 1,825,000. The cattle are sold at an average of 

 $25, making the total value of annual sales $9,125,000. The value of 

 the whole stock, young and old, will average about $18 per head, mak- 

 ing total value $32,850,000. 



About three-fifths of the cattle raised are cows, and the other two- 

 flfths steers and bulls. The steers are sold as soon as matured, but the 

 cows are kept longer, all finally being sold for beef. Most of the cattle 

 hides are exported to the United States ; a few are used by the natives 

 in making bags, " raw-hide ropes," "bed blankets," and the like. 



CULTIVATED GRASSES IN EOUADOE. 



The alfalfa is a very good grass, somewhat of the clover order, which 

 yields largely when well cultivated. The jeneiro is a specie of wild 

 grass that grows luxuriantly in wet places, and while it is of inferior 

 quality is in large demand during the dry season, and becomes valuable 

 because always in supply ; for four or five months in the year it is the 

 principal food of the horses, mules, and donkeys, in Guayaquil, whose 

 market is supplied by means of canoes. 



PEOFITABLENESS OF CATTLE RAISING IN ECUADOR. 



Plantations are not dear, and by reason of perpetual pasturage cat- 

 tle raising is one of the most profitable pursuits in Ecuador, and the 

 business is increasing. But the business has some drawbacks, as about 

 5 per cent, of the stock is killed by tigers, and many animals are stolen. 

 As there are many wild cattle, the result of strays from tame stock, 

 the loss stated is sometimes partially offset by the capture of wild cat- 

 tle. 



HOKATIO N. BEACH, 



Consul. 

 TJjuTED States Consulate, 



GuoA/aguil, October 26, 1883. 



REMARKS. 



The cattle are of Spanish origin. At maturity the cow weighs 500 pounds, the bull 

 600 pounds, and the ox 800 pounds. The annual average production of milk is 485 

 pounds. They arrive at maturity at from three to five years, usually at four. They 

 are of every color. Oxen are but little used. All cattle are ultimately slaughtered 

 for meat. Only a small part of the milk is sold. Cheese ranks next to meat in im- 

 portance, but the value of this product is not known. The cattle are confined by cor- 

 rals. The only method of feeding is by pasture. The hides are mostly shipped. The 

 altitude varies from <o 21,500 feet. The mean temperature is 60° Fahrenheit ; in 

 summer 55°, in winter 65°. The soil is a sandy loam on the coast, sandy, scoria, &c., 

 in the interior. 



