242 



Farm Animals in Chili. 



made at the rate of fourpence a day for thirty days, a 

 period which may, however, be renewed. Small loans 

 varying from eight shillings to £2 are made at a rate 

 of interest which may not exceed 5 per cent. The 

 intention is to help those members who become migratory 

 labourers as already explained, and although a large 

 number of the borrowers are absolutely without means, the 

 Society has not lost a penny during its six years' existence, a 

 period during which there has been advanced a sum 

 exceeding £\yOOO. The frequently recurring short crops of 

 maize, which is the principal food grain of the population, 

 have led to the creation of a depot whence the most neces- 

 sitous members can be supplied, and thereby aided to resist 

 the usurer. At the beginning of each season the council 

 purchases on the most advantageous terms a stock of maize, 

 which is divided amongst the five divisions of the Society for 

 ultimate distribution to members, who naturally remit the 

 value in due course. As regards the co-operative supply 

 store, the Society is able to buy at wholesale rates food which 

 is sold without any profit, but at a considerable advantage to 

 the members. The good results of the Feltre Co-operative 

 Society are stated to be better indicated by the local Mont-de- 

 Pietiy or municipal pawn shop, where, since the formation of 

 the Ass ociation, the deposits have regularly decreased, viz., 

 from 11,757 in 1890 to 10,569 in 1893, and to 7,796 in 1896. 



The Chilian horse, which is of Spanish origin, is admirably 

 suited for the saddle, and no improve- 

 Farm Animals ment has apparently resulted from the 

 in Chili. introduction even of valuable stallions 

 from England, France, and America. A 

 certain number of the best animals are annually exported 

 to Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Colombia ; a 

 corresponding importation of cheaper horses being made from 

 Argentina. The ass is almost unknown except in the poorer 

 districts, where the price does not exceed eight shillings per 

 head. Few mules are reared, but numbers are imported 

 from the Argentine Republic. There are good cattle in 



