640 



CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



EKMAEKS. 



The annual average production of milk per cow is a,920 pounas. No butter or 

 cheese isniade. The cattle arrive at maturity when three years old. The live weight 

 of the cow is 300 pounds ; of the hull and the ox, 450 pounds. The average weight 

 of meat is PoO pounds. The cattle vary in color ; their origin is unknown ; they feed 

 at large. There is no housing, and no system of breeding or of liandling products. 

 Cultivated gra.ases : Guinea grass. 



The mean temperature is 81° ; summer, 91° ; winter, 72°. 



CATTLE AND CATTLE PRODUCTS IN SAINT THOMAS. 



JtJSPOST BY CONSUL SMITH. 



I am just iu receipt of the cattle circular of July 18, 1883. 



There is no information relative to the cattle of Saint Thomas that can 

 be given which will be of any value to the stock-breeders of the United 

 States. There. being no fresh water on tJie island, and bnt little grass, 

 stock is not bred for anj' purpose. 



There are not to exceed two or three hundred head of cattle on the 

 island. Of this number perhaps one hundred are ordinary Spanish 

 milch cows. 



IMPORTS OP CATTLE. 



The supplj' of cattle for the butcher is drawn from the neighboring 

 islands. During the fiscal year ending March 31 , 1883, the importations 

 were as follows : 



Whence imported. 



Head. 



Value. 



OihfiT Danish West India Islands 



Briiish West India Islands 



Spanish West India Islands 



French West India Islands 



Dutch West India Islands 



Dominican Kepublio 



Total 



3,355 



50, 375 



A few head are imported at a time in small sloops engaged in that 

 trade. 



MEAT IMPOETS FROM THE ITNITED STATES. 



The expense which would be incurred by keeping a large supply on 

 hand precludes the butchers from negotiating with stock-breeders in 

 the United States for the delivery of such cargoes as would be profit- 

 able for them to ship. 



The salt and canned meats necessary to supply the demand of the 

 shipping is imported from the United States. 



BUTTER AND CHEESE IMPORTS. 



Butter is chiefly imported from Denmark, and cheese from Germany 

 and France. 



