British Produce for South Africa. 195 



very mixed, and some time must elapse before it can be weeded 

 and the process of grading up begin. It must not be forgotten 

 that the majority of farm buildings — such as they were — as well 

 as the fences, were destroyed or injured during the war. Until 

 these are rebuilt it will be quite impossible to take proper 

 care of valuable breeding stock. British pedigree animals are 

 delicate, they have generally been stall-fed at home and shielded 

 from all rough conditions, so that they easily fall victims to 

 such diseases as red water and gall sickness. Mr. Birchenough 

 was informed that in the best of times the records of the im- 

 portation of live stock into South Africa were mainly chronicles 

 of disaster. Even in Natal and Cape Colony, where conditions 

 are much more favourable, farmer after farmer told him that 

 high-priced bulls and rams frequently died within a few months 

 of their importation, and before any use had been made of 

 them. 



It has been found better to introduce stock of British origin 

 byway of Argentina, Texas, or Australia, because in the second 

 generation such stock has become acclimatized to conditions 

 similar to those prevailing in South Africa. All experiments 

 are being very closely watched, so that well-founded conclusions 

 may be formed as to the animals which are most suitable for 

 the new Colonies. 



Mr. Birchenough reports, however, that there is no doubt what- 

 ever that in many districts of the Transvaal and of the Orange 

 River Colony there is promise of a very prosperous, though not 

 sensational, future for horse breeding, mule breeding, cattle 

 raising, and sheep farming ; and that, as soon as the present 

 unfavourable conditions have passed away, owners of pedigree 

 stock in Great Britain may count upon finding in these Colonies 

 a very considerable market. It must not, however, be forgotten 

 that fancy prices will for a long time be beyond the reach of 

 private purchasers. 



In Natal and Cape Colony there is already a certain demand 

 for British pedigree stock, which is likely to increase as the 

 farmers become more prosperous, although the same tendency 

 to import the second generation from countries in which they 

 have become acclimatized prevails. The past year was a very 

 favourable one for stock breeders in Cape Colony, and the)' 



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