The Central Uruguay, with its extensions, is the main line from which most of the others branch. The original ran from Montevideo to the Rio Negro in the centre of the Republic, from which it was prolonged to the northern border at Rivera. In May, 1917, closer connection was established with Sant’ Anna, across the Brazilian border, and sleeping car service to São Paulo in 4¹⁄₂ days, which should shortly be 3¹⁄₂. The prolongation is called the Northern Extension. The Eastern Extension starts at Toledo, 16 miles from Montevideo, diverging to San Ramón, Nico Peréz, and Melo, with a branch from Nico Peréz, to Treinta y Tres, 311 miles in all. The Western Extension runs from San José on a branch of the Central, to Mal Abrigo and Mercedes. From Abrigo a line goes to Rosario and Puerto del Sauce, and from Rosario on to Colonia, altogether 211 miles.
Other roads are the Midland and the Northwestern, the former connecting with the Central near the Rio Negro, passing west to Paysandú, then north to Salto, while the Northwestern runs 113 miles from Salto to Cabellos, then northwest to the corner of the Republic, there connecting by an international bridge across the Cuareim River with Quarahim, Brazil, and its Great Southern Railway running northward. At Salto there is considerable interchange of traffic with Argentina through Concordia opposite, an important railway junction and city. At Cabellos connection is made with the Uruguay Northern, another road running to the Brazilian Boundary, the terminus San Eugenio.
The Uruguay East Coast Railway with 78 miles of road, starting from Olmas on the Central Uruguay runs to Maldonado. Much of the traffic is to the seaside resorts, Puente del Este and Piriápolis; there is also considerable freight for the Montevideo market, of agricultural and pastoral products and fish. An extension northward from San Carlos to Rocha is authorized. The road has been purchased by the Government. A line from Durazno on the Central to Trinidad, begun by the Farquhar-Pearson Syndicate as part of a line designed to cross the country diagonally from Colonia to the Brazilian border, was taken over by the Government, which has in view the securing of a system of State railways. Besides building the 31-mile line from San Carlos on the East Coast Railway it intends purchasing the 23-mile line from Rocha to the port Paloma. Further needed construction is planned by the Government as soon as may be practicable.
Aeroplane service is to be installed by a British company from Montevideo to Rio de Janeiro and Pernambuco, and aerial postal service is planned for the interior.
Resources and Industries
Stock raising is by far the leading industry, as is evident from the fact that in 1917 nearly 98 per cent of the exports were of stock products. Of the 44 million acres devoted to livestock and agriculture the latter occupies hardly 5 per cent. In 1603, 100 cattle and two herds of horses were brought into the country; the cattle increased so rapidly that at one time they were killed for their hides, as more recently in Paraguay. Since 1860 when Durham bulls were imported and stock breeding began, much advance has been made in quality. Herefords, Devon, a few Polled Angus and others have also been imported; some for dairy purposes, as Swiss and Flemish. In 1917 the cattle numbered about 8,000,000. The best estancias have sheds to house pedigreed stock, they plant trees and have cattle dips. Societies encourage scientific breeding and the Government subsidizes agricultural shows. One estancia of 60,000 acres has 15,000 cattle, 20,000 sheep, some horses, and pays dividends of 16-25 per cent on a capital of £120,000. Another company with 40,000 acres and a capital of £40,000 pays dividends of 14-20 per cent. At least 20,000 acres are devoted to dairy farming; 50,000 pounds of butter are made monthly, and both butter and cheese are exported. The best of apparatus is employed.
Sheep, imported from Argentina in 1608, flourish to the number of 11,700,000; the varieties of Merino, Lincoln, Romney Marsh are found among others, the English breeds being preferred.
Horses of good quality are raised, 570,000, both light and heavy, but few in comparison to the cattle. There are 300,000 pigs, a few mules, 16,000, and 12,000 goats.
Meat Packing. In 1754 the first meat salting plant was established but the true pioneer dates from 1786. Others followed. There are now 13 besides seven factories for preserving meat and two frigorificos. The slaughter season is from November to January. The meat for saladeros is separated from the bones, dried 4-6 days in the sun, and then salted. It is arranged in four grades according to fat or lean; the fat meat is sent to Brazil, the lean to Cuba and elsewhere.
Of frigorificos the Swifts own one, and exported to Europe in 1915 and 1916, each, over 700,000 frozen quarters of beef and 100,000 chilled; also mutton and lamb. The Frigorifica Uruguaya shipped nearly 44,000,000 pounds of beef to Europe in 1916 and over 2,000,000 pounds of mutton. The total export of animal products shipped in 1916 was worth $73,000,000. A model slaughter house and cold storage plant is in prospect. A new one for wool washing has a capacity of 132,000 pounds daily. Saving in freight cost and immunity from deterioration are thereby attained.