1909.] Importation of Live Stock into Brazil. 759 



the recognised European breeds having something to com- 

 mend it. Moreover, the pastures in Brazil are so diverse, 

 comprising hillsides, meadows, table-lands, and pampas, that 

 it is quite problematical which breed will do best in any par- 

 ticular district. He confesses that the farmers in this country 

 are learning, and that this is among the things which have 

 yet to be learnt. He is, however, sceptical in regard to the 

 Jersey. While admitting that the Channel Island breeds in 

 general are unequalled for milk, he is inclined to regard them 

 as useless for beef, and as otherwise unsuited to the con- 

 ditions of Brazil. His object is to introduce "dual- 

 purpose " cattle. In respect to Tristeza, he states authori- 

 tatively that there is but one way to combat it. The animals 

 imported must always be yearlings, or at any rate young, it 

 having been found by experience that only such are really 

 capable of resisting the disease. In this opinion he is borne 

 out by Senor Manoel Bernardez, who, on the other hand, puts 

 the age limit, up to two years. 



Number of Cattle in Brazil. — The number of cattle existing 

 in Brazil is officially computed at about 18,000,000 head, 

 which, being avowedly a very rough estimate, is doubtless 

 incorrect. Nevertheless, an immense number change hands 

 at the periodic fairs, as an instance of which it may be stated 

 that 25,000 are sold annually at that of Itabaiana in the State 

 of Parahyba. There is also an interchange of thousands every 

 year among the various States, and many go to Paraguay, 

 the animals being first bought up by "boiadeiros," who drive 

 them at the rate of 10 or 12 miles a day over very long dis- 

 tances (sometimes even exceeding 350 leagues) before they 

 dispose of them. They generally require fattening before 

 they are passable as beef, and the market they go to is largely 

 dependent on the lie of the land over which they have to 

 travel. It is curious that while thousands of cattle are exported 

 from certain corners of Brazil there is a demand for them in 

 others. In connection with this it may be worth while to 

 mention that contracts are in force at the present moment for 

 the importation of animals from the Argentine and Venezuela. 



Horses, Sheep, and Pigs. — In regard to horses, several 

 English breeds have been tried, chiefly Hackneys, Shires, 

 and Clydesdales, but the two latter have lately given way to 



