1909.] Importation of Live Stock into Brazil. 757 



order has been given through a firm of contractors for over 

 1,000 head of stock, 800 of which are to be Indian Zebus, and 

 the remainder, for the most part, of European breeds, viz. : — 

 Jersey, Hereford, Devon, Swiss, Siementhal, &c. Owing to 

 the alacrity with which the farmers responded to the benefits 

 offered, the Government have extended the period during 

 which they are disposed to receive orders up to the 31st 

 December. 



Character of the Pasture. — The extent of available pasture 

 in Brazil is scarcely yet known. It varies considerably, and 

 in certain places, such as the State of Ceara, is overstocked 

 already, while in others, notably the Centre and South, there 

 is still much to spare. There are several native varieties of 

 cattle, more or less ill-defined, and the improvement of these 

 is the aim of the breeders and the reason for importation. 



Drought and Disease, — There are, however, two serious 

 obstacles to be considered in regard to all imported animals. 

 On the larger expanses of Brazilian pastures a drought of 

 about three months' duration in the year has usually to be 

 counted on, during which time the cattle get very little food, 

 as the grasses are withered, many of them having to subsist 

 solely on plants. They must therefore be possessed of certain 

 powers of resistance, so as to keep in condition till the return 

 of the rains. Secondly, the pastures are infested with a tick 

 which transmits a malady known as Tristeza identical with 

 what in other countries is called "Texas fever." This is by 

 far the most serious drawback to the importation of cattle, 

 and, although some success has already been achieved 

 through inoculation, it cannot be said to be wholly satisfac- 

 tory, and a solution is looked for in the importation of bulls 

 and the creation of breeds which will resist it naturally. 



Hitherto the Zebu has fulfilled this purpose, having been 

 first introduced over 30 years ago. The same tick is said to 

 be common in India, with the result that the Zebu is immune. 

 The wholesale order for the importation of 800 Zebus at the 

 moment when experts are turning their attention to the im- 

 provement of cattle, has resulted in an outburst of indignant 

 criticism from the more enlightened breeders, who recognise 

 in the Zebu a beast belonging to a primitive race, with few 

 qualifications, and in no way comparable to European breeds. 



