662 CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



The buffalo is about the size of our ox— of a dull steel-gray color, 

 though at times of pinkish-white. * * * 



The animal serves as the ox when alive, and is slaughtered for food. 

 The meat is, however, much tougher and coarser than that of ordinary 

 beef, does not cost as much, and as a result is only consumed by na- 

 tives and the poorer classes generally. His food is grass, and experi- 

 ence here has proven that he thrives best when not kraalled, but allowed 

 to graze at large and in the neighborhood of a pond or slow-running 

 ' stream of water. A buffalo will invariably take to this water, immerse 

 himself up to his neck, and remain there happy and content for five or 

 six hours every day if he can. 



Certain portions of this island and Sumatra have suffered much during 

 the past four or five years from a plague attacking this cattle, and the 

 government has done all it well could to prevent a spread of the dis- 

 ease, with fairly satisfactory results. The plan adopted has been to 

 promptly kill any animal attacked, and in many cases those with it in 

 the same herd. Farmers in several cases have cried out against this 

 system as entailing unnecessary expense upon the government (who 

 make good the value to the owner) and hardship upon the farmers. 



It certainly is seen that the treatment to which these animals have 

 been subjected by European veterinary surgeons, in kraalling them and 

 preventing their free access to the water, has not brought about the an- 

 ticipated result, for many sound beasts have been found to get ill under 

 it, thus causing the extermination of all. 



OSOAE HATFIELD, 

 Consul. 



Consulate op the United States, 



Batavia, January 11, 1884. 



