586 



Agriculture in Argentina. 



[NOV., 



AGRICULTURE IN ARGENTINA. 

 The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries have received, through 

 the Foreign Office, the following report on agriculture in Argen- 

 tina, which has been prepared by Mr. Hugh M. Mallet, British 

 Consul at Rosario. 



The provinces pertaining to the Rosario Consular district are 

 those of Santa Fe, Cordoba, Entre-Rios and Corrientes, and 

 owing to its geographical position, Rosario has become the 

 centre of the grain trade of the Argentine Republic. The 

 principal ports for the shipment of grain are Rosario, Colastine 

 (Santa Fe), Parana, Villa Constitucion, and San Nicolas 

 (Province of Buenos Ayres), all situated on the River Parana, 

 but Rosario, owing to its situation, port facilities, and railway 

 communication with the provinces, is the most important. 



A succession of bountiful harvests of the crops on which this 

 district of the Argentine so largely depends, together with the 

 good price obtained for grain, have resulted in a period of 

 exceptional prosperity among both farmers and merchants. The 

 price of land and rents have consequently considerably increased, 

 and this has led to the removal of live stock to cheaper lands 

 in outside districts. 



Principal Crops. — Wheat, maize, linseed, lucerne (hay) and 

 potatoes are the favourite crops, barley, oats and mani 

 (peanuts) receiving minor attention. 



Cost of growing Wheat. — The following is a fair estimate of 

 the cost of production of this cereal : — 



Cost of preparing one acre of land for wheat — 



* s. d. 



Ploughing ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 9i 



Harrowing .... ... ... ... ... ... o 6| 



Sundries ... ... ... ... ... ... 02 



2 6 



Sowing. s. d. 



Labour and animals ... ... ... ... 02^ 



Seed (53 lbs. at 6s. 3d. per cwt.) ... ... ... 2 n| 



Harrowing ... ... ... ... ... ... o 7^ 



Rolling, &c o Si- 

 Sundries ... .. ... ... ... ••• 0 J i 



_4ji 



Harvesting. 



Machinist, stacker and assistant, cartage, loading, s. d. 



focd, horses, oil, grease, &c. ... ... ... 2 10 



