ARGENTINE

39

From  the  days  of  the  early  Spaniards  stockraising
  has  flourished  and  will  always  be  one
of  the  chief  industries  of  the  land.  Not  only
the  Government  but  individuals  as  well  realize ­
  this  and  co-operate  with  each  other  for  the
purpose  of  producing  the  best  strains  of  all
breeds  of  cattle.
There  are  many  “refrigerificos”  or  coldstorage
  plants  and  abattoirs  throughout  the
land  and  for  years  Europe  received  practically ­
  all  of  Argentine’s  animal  products,
her  exports  in  this  line  alone  being  approximately ­
  $350,000,000  in  1914.  Due  to  the
fact  that  these  establishments  were  operated ­
  by  British  capital,  England  naturally  took
most  of  this  meat.  The  larger  American
packing-houses  have  now  entered  the  trade
with  the  double  purpose  of  supplying  both
their  European  and  American  customers  from
this  field  and  direct  refrigerator  ships  now  run
from  the  River  Plate  to  New  York  City  with
cargoes  of  Argentine  beef  and  mutton.  The
last  census  showed  30,000,000  beef  cattle;
9,000,000  horses;  500,000  mules;  300,000