670 CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



For liglit-draft on fair roads thej' answer tolerably well, being very- 

 fleet of foot. 



The cows for milking purposes are all but worthless, giving but a,. 

 small quantity of milk, though of good quality. In the besr, pastures 

 they fatten tolerably well, but on dry, hard food readily succumb to 

 hardship. Friesland bulls have been used in crossing, and have proved 

 successful in improving the milking qualities of the cows, as well as 

 better oxen for draft for heavy roads. It is a common practice among 

 the farmers of the country, after using Friesland blood for some gener- 

 ations in their herds, to again have recourse to an Africander bull, in 

 the belief that this strengthens the constitutions of the animals. This 

 process naturally leads to no advance in the direction of any distinct 

 breed. In some instances Shorthorns from England have been tried, 

 but have not met with much favor. 



In the vicinity of Cape Town the best-bred cattle are to be met with 

 for dairy purposes. Kerry bulls have been put to half-breed Dutch 

 cows, giving compact, handy little cattle. Jerseys for the same purpose 

 have also met with some favor. Herefords have had but a limited 

 trial in this colony, but so far have given great satisfaction in pulling 

 through drought on dry food while other animals succumbed. 



By some farmers it is thought that this and the Devon are the breeds 

 best suited for the requirements of this country. 



The average weight of a decent-sized ox of the Africander breed is 

 about 600 pounds dead weight. 



There is great and ample room for improvement in the cattle industry 

 of this country, but such can only come as greater care is used by 

 farmers in segregating their herds; as at present, through carelessness 

 in the castration of young stock, the progeny must necessarily be much 

 mixed. 



According to the census of this colony taken in 1863, there were 

 692,514 cattle; in 1875, 1,111,713. At this ratio of increase the num- 

 ber of cattle now in the colony would approximate something like 

 1,778,000 head; to this number may added about 265,000 head in Brit- 

 ish Basuto land and Transkeian territories which were not included 

 in the census, making an aggregate of 2,143,000 head of cattle in the 

 colony. 



The average value of a sound matured work-ox is about $50. 



Milch cows vary in prices from $30 to $100, according to age and 

 their milk-giving qualities. 



IMPOKTS OP DAIRY PBOBUCTS. 



Little or no interest is bestowed upon dairy business in the colony 

 except in the neighborhood of towns. The majority of cattle farmers 

 are the greater part of the year without milk or butter so far as any 

 product from their own herds are concerned. For dairy products the 

 colony is almost wholly dependent upon foreign countries. 



Last year there were imported for the use of this colony 1,424,750 

 pounds of butter, and valued at £97,689; and 1,099,440 pounds of cheese, 

 valued at £37,850. With little care and foresight this enormous ex- 

 penditure could be saved to the colony. 



No cattle are exported from this colony except coastwise and to the 

 garrisons at St. Helena and Ascension. 



JAMBS W. SILEE, 



ITnited States Consulate, 



Cape Toicn, MmiMLABM 



