MEAT TRADE EXPORTS FROM 1885 TO 1913

YEARSFrozen & chilled beef
$ gold		Frozen mutton
$ gold		Sundry frozen meats
$ gold		Preserved meats
$ gold		Extract of beef
$ gold		Powder of meat
$ gold		Preserved tongues
$ gold		LIVE STOCKCondensed soup
$ gold		Jerked beef
$ gold		Totals
$ gold
Cattle
$ gold		Sheep
$ gold
18851,68075,323—————2,345,31358,552—4,204,0776,684,945
188612,800360,5081,876—169,991—27,2672,203,15041,557—3,738,8206,555,969
1887—963,1128,837—75,88815,25020,9901,415,62542,8848,2572,398,4244,949,267
18883,3261,459,83938,34313,809128,080117,45756,6681,798 25134,685—3,456,7877,107,245
188958,7421,322,60417,930101,714105,66819,83058,7063,194,11366,5266,8896,139,87511,092,597
189053,0291,633,105—42,661375,13219,175185,4123,579,456159,42810,5473,913,3049,971,249
18915,9021,862,24731,211258,926389,45462,116195,7533,997,270387,5457,7283,566,85410,765,006
189222,6952,034,89849,217633,601520,892226,288198,8132,264,675170,4226,4554,100,48810,589,044
1893222,2792,003,25434,324196,080198,07075,497171,5844,433,944362,904—4,115,13411,813,070
189412,4001,864,11059,64565,250134,39321,562266,1444,540,160448,678—4,564,44711,976,789
189563,4821,675,27316,12092,325208,39921,217158,9117,003,2301,292,52712,0694,225,41914,768,972
1896119,8631,804,20524,204204,315683,48713,551127,9806,543,5501,536,05661,9643,217,54114,336,716
1897169,6442,035,77827,903115,127257,7725,582112,2705,018,2221,512,68422,9412,466,31311,744,236
1898234,6812,393,35838,839162,294605,52258,034112,0447,690,4501,733,96332,4472,116,46815,178,100
1899363,1412,265,06936,863181,600765,504—116,4396,824,0101,631,04129,3422,038,41314,251,422
19002,458,9574,512,97370,797140,480230,416—204,1963,678,150594,67524,0051,979,55713,894,206
19014,490,4475,041,02391,64894,717433,590—205,5251,980,37278,24816,2172,879,45515,311,242
19027,001,8336,405,804163,820164,404592,696—167,8542,848,445368,65611,7692,647,45020,372,731
19038,151,9566,251,959203,973374,154693,174—142,1704,437,420503,241100,5991,542,01822,400,664
19049,774,3547,089,287272,308242,861414,1884,885189,4002,852,82085,219114,0441,391,93122,431,297
190515,285,6936,268,059356,299248,826870,950599,460155,6155,160,483364,209122,0663,738,44433,170,104
190615,380,8975,391,055400,275125,908842,142959,20391,2001,676,145315,35970,614596,64325,849,441
190713,822,1625,582,781450,198159,4771,791,5741,536,828227,1192,062,390331,701107,7891,178,05627,250,075
190818,081,4436,307,688740,421178,0571,379,9521,239,918262,0581,876,820311,376115,822772,81931,266,374
190921,065,7475,319,612649,206639,0132,702,9881,057,675360,4444,087,820265,908188,7351,325,05337,662,201
191025,370,8156,008,133721,6181,215,3703,046,6801,267,964284,3524,056,450231,540204,2931,033,02043,440,235
191131,283,3966,873,285946,8591,541,3331,031,154904,730214,1508,202,750332,070175,7441,661,61553,167,086
191234,285,0765,613,9711,017,9921,769,8821,223,8601,349,557189,5239,140,089314,694197,4331,400,74856,502,816
191336,622,8893,674,206910,3111,257,3911,598,1361,097,566131,9526,848,830311,991375,392658,09753,486,761
Totals244,419,329104,092,5197,381,03710,219,57521,469,75210,673,9454,634,539122,120,39413,888,3392,023,16177,067,270617,989,860
= £48,495,90020,653,2771,464,4802,027,6934,259,8712,117,846919,55124,230,2362,755,622401,42115,291,125122,617,022

During 1914 the meat producers and importers were alarmed by the purchase of most of the chief River Plate cold storage establishments by United States companies, who were credited with the intention of forming a “combine” to monopolize the industry. Certainly at the commencement of 1914 they were paying high prices to estancieros and selling considerably increased exports at low prices in the British markets. It would appear, however, as if matters were in the course of adjustment between all the River Plate Cold Storage companies when the War came and, as has just been indicated, altered all the conditions of the meat markets.

For all the above causes it is difficult to assign a value[45] to recent River Plate Meat Exports. Exports which it must be remembered leave no record as having paid ad valorem export duty, since they are duty-free exports.

As for the future of this trade there can be little doubt but that it will continue to increase commensurately with the available quantity of live stock of high quality. The Cold Storage Companies will buy no other and thus have constantly encouraged and advanced scientific breeding on the River Plate. It may safely be assumed that this trade is not likely to lose by the occurrence or effects of the War.

Recently, in view of what seemed a threatened shortage of cattle for export demands, producers commenced breeding from one-year-old cows; instead of beginning only at two years of age, as formerly was the South American custom.

Not only do the Cold Storage Companies export Meat but they also work up into marketable forms the various by-products of the animals they slaughter.

ARGENTINE MEAT TRADE 1888-1913

Progress of Exports in the last 26 years

Note.—As will be noticed from the subjoined tables, the decrease for 1913 was due to a falling off of the exports of frozen mutton and of cattle on the hoof.

FROZEN AND CHILLED BEEF

Progress of Argentine Exports compared with the principal exporting countries

CHAPTER XIII
FORESTRY

Did anyone ever hear of Argentine timber? Few people indeed; though a good many more know that both of the River Plate Republics are large importers of wood from the North of Europe. That they need not be so, because they have all they, and a good many other countries besides, can possibly need already growing in their own territories (and as much more as may be wanted, only for the trouble of planting under highly favourable natural conditions), will come as a surprise even to some Argentines and Uruguayans; so accustomed are they to import all their building timber and furniture. Yet the above are facts.[46]

The only well-known forestal products of the River Plate are the logs of and extract from the Quebracho (Aspidosperma Quebracho, Schlet). The wood of this tree is very hard—hence its name quebra-hacha, break-axe—and is valuable for cabinet-making, fine carving, and engraving, etc.; but it rots quickly when exposed to the influences of weather. Notwithstanding this, on account of its hardness, it is in large demand for railway sleepers. The extract is very largely used for tanning.

The following lists and descriptions given by Señor Fernando Mauduit in his erudite Monograph on “Arboriculture in Argentina,” attached to the Argentine National Census, 1908, cannot, certainly, be improved on by the present author. These lists, although confined to the enumeration of the chief classes of trees only, are at the same time fully indicative of the general nature of forest vegetation not only in Argentina but also in Uruguay.

A glance at the map of both Republics will show that, from geographic and climatic distribution, they may practically be reckoned as one country in this regard. Indeed, as will be seen, Señor Mauduit specifically includes Uruguay in what he terms the Riparian Region. He says that the configuration of the different zones and the fertility of their soil allow of the cultivation of every product of the two Americas, Asia, Europe and Australia, with the exception of those of the torrid zone.

The following enumeration of “regions” and of the chief kinds of trees found and capable of being grown in the River Plate countries, with the respective descriptions, are taken from the Monograph above referred to:—

1. Subtropical, comprising the plains of Santiago del Estero and the Chaco, the lowlands of Tucumán, Salta and Jujuy, North Corrientes and Misiones.

2. Northern Andean, stretching along the Andes, from San Juan to the Bolivian frontier, comprising Catamarca, Salta, Jujuy, Los Andes and part of Tucumán.

3. Southern Andean, from San Juan to Neuquen.

4. Northern Pampean, from Santiago del Estero to Buenos Aires, wherein the eucalyptus trees do not suffer from frost, and comprising Córdoba, San Luis, part of Santa Fé and Buenos Aires.

5. Southern Pampean, comprising Córdoba and San Luis, where the eucalyptus freezes, Southern Buenos Aires and the Pampas.

6. Austral, composed of the territories of Rio Negro, Chubut and Santa Cruz.

7. Riparian, comprising the islands of the Paraná, Entre Rios and the shores of the rivers Plate, Paraná and Uruguay.

8. Maritime, stretching along the Atlantic coast in a belt three leagues wide, more or less, according to the configuration of the soil.

9. Straits, consisting of the shores of the Straits of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego.

The confines of all these regions cross and merge into one another, at times, on account of the altitude in their different zones. The vegetation typical of one zone is often scattered through one or more neighbouring ones, so that they cannot be exactly defined. The greater or lesser altitude of a place often goes towards modifying the uniform character of the vegetation.

In the first region the forests contain the best timber in the Republic, cedar or hardwood, so-called (cedrela) quebracho white and red, lapacho, algarrobo (carob), acacia, ibirá, molle, ñandubay, different woods, Misiones pine, Brazilian araucaria, tarco, urunday, aguaribay, cebil, timbó, palm trees, etc., and the fruit trees of the region, orange, lemon, pomegranate, guava, chirimoyas (custard apple) and pantas.

Fruit tree planting, though seldom, is more carefully done than formerly, and its products inundate the markets of Buenos Aires, Rosario and Santa Fé.

The Paraguayan tea tree, or rather bush (mate), is grown in many places and cultivated rationally. Mr. Thays’ experiments give room for hoping that this precious bush may become a certain source of future wealth, whereas the old system of cultivation was bound to entail, early or late, the total extinction of the product.

All kinds of eucalyptus trees grow well, and the extensive planting of these trees in the Chaco, Misiones, in Tucumán, Corrientes and Santiago del Estero is a consummation devoutly to be wished for.

The same trees are found in the second region, but fewer in number and smaller in size, orange, lemon, fig, plum, peach and pomegranate trees, also the vine can be successfully grown, and in the valleys guayavos, chirimoyas, pantas, avocados and persimmons. Plantations of mate and eucalyptus could also be tried.

The third region is warmer and partly covered with vineyards. Here the vine is in its native element.

On the slopes of the Andes the soil is admirably suited for the planting of forest trees, such as pines, firs, beeches, and all others peculiar to mild, dry climates; as well as for that of fruit trees, such as the walnut, chestnut, apple, cherry, pear and peach trees … the vine where late frosts are not very frequent.

In the Northern Pampas, or the fourth region, all kinds of fruit trees can be grown, soil permitting, orange, fig, persimmon, vines, mulberry, almond, peach, apricot, plum, cherry, walnut, chestnut, pear and quince trees. This is the forest tree region of the plains: hardwood, native willows, the paradise tree, ombú, laurel, sequoia, cypress, sycamore, maple and many others. The caldén tree covers immense stretches, likewise the carob tree.

The fifth or Southern Pampean region differs from the preceding one in the cooler and even colder climate in its southern part. Apart from the trees which suffer from frosts this is the most favourable zone for tree cultivation in general. All forest trees which resist 10° below zero grow well here, the oak, beech, ash, maple, pine, fir, spruce, poplar, elm, sycamore and such fruit trees as the peach, cherry, plum, apricot, quince, pear and apple tree.

These two regions are those containing the largest plantations of trees of all kinds, millions of eucalyptus trees, farms, parks and gardens, richly stocked, representing millions of dollars, and ever-increasing and multiplying orchards and groves which bring in thousands, but whose output could be increased tenfold without succeeding in ousting the preserved fruit imported from Europe and North America.

The sixth or Austral region, as its name indicates, is exposed to the south winds. It is the cold region which excludes the eucalyptus, the Californian pine, and peach tree, the vine, etc., but where in sheltered spots the cherry, plum, pear and apple tree can be grown, the last especially. This, once known, would make the fortune of this region. Cider manufacture would furnish a wholesome, pleasant beverage, much cheaper than wine.

Moreover, the preparation of apple preserves of every kind will one day be like that of North America. The man who plants apple trees, beginning from 38° S. latitude to the south, secures for himself and his children returns proportionate to the outlay made.

The seventh region is very fertile and suited for the planting of willows, poplars, alders, cryptomerias, cypresses, sycamores, magnolias, palm trees, orange trees, tangerines, persimmons, etc. Peach and quince trees are grown here on a large scale to supply the markets of the capital. It has been the cradle of fruit-growing, and as it has been endowed with a mild climate and a generally humid soil everything grows luxuriantly and produces abundantly, though the general quality of its products is not equal to that of the fruit grown in the fifth region.

The eighth region is arid in certain places, and always exposed to the winds and sea fogs which are so harmful to the growth of the trees. The winds from the south blow throughout the year on nearly all our sea coast. The only trees that can be grown successfully are the eucalyptus (E. globulus), the Canadian and other poplars, the tamarisk, cypress, lambertiana, maritime pine, Pinus insignis, and all must be planted very thickly in order to resist the impetuous attack of the winds and the fogs.

In the ninth and last region we have included the shores of the Straits of Magellan as far as Gallegos, and inland as far as the hills; and on the other shore Fireland (Tierra del Fuego). Fruit tree planting cannot be thought of there for the present, the only thing to be done is to propagate largely the native growths, and where the climate permits it to plant spruces, pines, firs, birches, beeches, hazels, currant bushes, yews, all of which are sturdy growths of the colder countries.