1908.] 



Agriculture in Argentina. 



589 



requirements. Preference is still given to British agricultural 

 machinery of the heavier kinds ; as regards ploughs, harrows 

 and the lighter class of implements we have strong competitors. 

 United States manufacturers are now providing duplicate pieces 

 to replace those parts of machines, &c, that are more liable to 

 become broken, and farmers are giving preference to such 

 makes, as it prevents any stoppage of work during harvest. 

 A number of threshers and binders imported from Australia 

 are reported to be giving satisfaction. 



Grain Sheds required. — Notwithstanding the serious losses 

 farmers frequently experience from wet weather at harvest time, 

 few only will incur the expense of constructing sheds for storing 

 purposes. The method is to take all risks and sell grain, which 

 is delivered at the railway station, as soon as threshed. The 

 result is that the railway sheds become blocked and large 

 quantities of grain are deposited, exposed to weather, awaiting 

 railway transport. This is the principal cause of grain being 

 shipped on vessels in damp condition. 



The sale of so large a quantity of grain within so short a space 

 of time must also influence prices, and it is frequently noticeable 

 that as soon as produce has been sold by the farmer, prices rise. 

 It would decidedly pay farmers to construct deposits to store 

 their grain, and it is certain that sooner or later they must do so. 



Tarpaulins and large canvas sheets are much used as cover- 

 ings to protect the bags of grain from weather, and consequently 

 there is a very good sale for these. 



Milling. — Local enterprise has caused a number of important 

 mills with modern machinery and lighted by electricity to be 

 erected within the principal grain zones of Santa Fe and Cor- 

 doba. An excellent class of flour and other materials for home 

 consumption is supplied by these mills. At the present time, 

 in the province of Santa Fe only, a tax exists, imposed by the 

 Provincial Government, of 12 c. paper currency on each bag of 

 flour produced. 



Important influences are, however, being brought to bear to 

 secure the abolition of the tax, and with probability of success, 

 as it is recognised that it is injuring the milling industry and 

 causing new mills to be established in* other provinces where 

 there is no tax. 



Lucerne. — Lucerne is cultivated on a large scale for fodder, 



