14 CATTLE EAISING IN THE AEGENTINE REPUBLIC. [June 1895. 



good crops of alfalfa have been obtained for 20 years in succession, 

 yielding five cuttings and upwards annually. The cost of laying 

 down an acre of alfalfa has been estimated by a practical grower 

 of the crop at nearly 10s., assuming the paper dollar to be of the 

 value of Is. 4d When it is laid down with wheat the cost is 

 largely reduced. 



In addition to the benefits to be derived from the abundance 

 of cheap and excellent forage in the shape of alfalfa, the 

 pastoralist in the Argentine Republic possesses a further advan- 

 tage in tbe circumstance that, owing to the favourable climate 

 of the country, cattle require neither housing nor hand feeding. 



Steers exported to Europe are usually over 1,320 lbs. live 

 weight, while those sent to Brazil weigh on the average 1,100 

 lbs. It is recognised by exporters that it is above all neces- 

 sary that cattle shipped to European ports should arrive in prime 

 condition, and efibrts are being made to secure better accom- 

 modation and attendance on ships engaged in this trade. In 

 a recent number of La Agricvltura, it is stated that the Argen- 

 tine Minister of Finance has already convened a meeting of the 

 representatives of the principal firms engaged in the export trade 

 in live stock to consider a draft code of regulations relating to 

 the transport of animals by sea. At this meeting it was 

 unanimously agreed that the regulations should provide that 

 every vessel employed in carrying cattle should be properly 

 equipped with the necessary fittings ; that there should be 

 four cattlemen for each 100 head of cattle on board; that 

 there should be a sufficient supply of water provided at the 

 rate of 12 gallons for each full-grown beast and 6 gallons for 

 each calf, daily; and that no animal affected with any con- 

 tagious disease, or suspected to be so infected, should be taken 

 on board. The voyage to Europe by the cattle ships is calculated 

 to occupy 28 days. 



