each, one group averaging $1,375 and the other $1,519. Two groups of Herefords of the same grade sold for averages of $700 and $625, respectively, they being the only entries. Two groups of 8 Hereford heifers, the only entries, sold at an average of $270 and $250, respectively. No Shorthorn heifers were shown in groups for prizes. GRADE ANIMALS. Under the head of mestizos, or grades, some very satisfactory sales are recorded, showing the readiness of the Argentine breeder to buy animals on their individual merits, without a recognized pedigree and ineligible to entry in the Argentine herdbook, especially if such animals come from well-known breeders and have been sired by registered bulls. The Shorthorn bulls in this category were shown. in groups of 8, and there were 35 entries for prizes, the classification being "Grade Shorthorn bulls of two and four teeth." The group that won the first prize was not sold. The winners of the second prize sold for an average of $1,731, and the third prize group for an average of $1,035. Of the 280 animals entered in this class 218 were sold, the average price being $725. The highest price was $2,600 and the lowest $80, the latter for 2 lots only. All the others sold for $250 or more, generally around $600 to $800, while 58 of these young bulls sold for $1,000 or more. The heifers of the corresponding category sold for less than half, and the best of them were reserved from sale. Of the 120 shown, 56 were sold at an average price of $345. The first and second prize winners were not offered for sale, and the lot that won third prize sold for an average of $734-1 of them for $1,000. These bulls were better animals than those referred to in the beginning of this chapter, the "camp bulls in pen," that sold for an average of $395.78. The latter were rougher animals, raised in the camp, never having had any special care, and most of them were not so well bred as the ones just referred to, which were entered for prizes. But many successful breeders are going in for bulls that have not been pampered, but have grown up under the conditions which they must meet on the average estancia that is not breeding show animals, but is aiming to produce the most beef of the best quality at the least cost. It is often said in Argentina that the ambition to produce show animals has resulted in lowering the vitality of the sires. "What we want," breeders often say, "is a good supply of young, hardy bulls that have been raised to camp conditions, so they can go out with the herd, take things as they come, and keep in good condition while doing their work and without watching and special care." Only 5 Hereford grade bulls were shown under the class provided. for them, and they sold for $450 each. Eight Polled Angus heifers sold for $80 each and 8 Red Lincolns for $130 each. 3369-No. 48-03—2 ANIMALS FOR SALE ONLY. Many animals are brought to the exposition for sale only, not being entered for any prize. Under this head 169 purebred Shorthorn bulls were shown, and 127 of them were sold at the average price of $1,270. The highest price was $6,900 and the lowest $250. Four sold for more than $4,000. These were all from one breeder and were sired by the noted bull Spartan. Three sold for less than $4,000 and more than $3,000 and 16 sold for prices between $2,000 and $3,000. Nearly all these bulls were born between June and December, 1900. Seven purebred Herefords of the same class sold for prices ranging from $550 to $2,000, or an average of $1,191; 3 Polled Angus averaged $423; 3 Holsteins averaged $550; 5 Flemish averaged $1,010; 20 Polled Angus camp-bred grade bulls sold for an average of $210, and 1 lot of heifers for $45 each. But the Polled Angus is gaining, and many well-informed men in Argentina think it will be the second breed in the country-next to the Shorthorn-though now it is very much below the Hereford in numbers. Among Argentine breeders there are many wealthy men who will cheerfully pay enormous prices for animals that please their fancy, and they frequently do it. Sometimes this results in stimulating prices to an unnatural extent, but it is certain that superior animals will always find admirers and bring prices that average far above those obtained in the United States. It is true that many good bulls are sold privately in the country at lower prices-from $100 to $200-and that there are plenty of native breeders who have not yet learned that it pays to buy a good bull. There are plenty of rough, miserable cattle in the country, but improvement is going on rapidly, as men see that it does not pay to raise poor cattle when on the same amount of land they might be producing good animals and realizing much larger profits. The great increase in the price of land is also leading estancieros to make the most of it, and they can no longer afford to go on in the old loose way, being satisfied with prices of cattle ranging from $20 to $35. They must double or treble these figures, and they are doing it; but they must continue to import new blood to keep their herds up or they will surely degenerate. SHEEP. As noted elsewhere, the significant feature of the sheep sales was the decline in the prices obtained for Lincolns, as compared with the sales of 1901, and the gain in prices and number sold of Rambouillets and the Downs. The Merino type is surely in better demand, more general, and not confined to a few breeders. The highest price for a Rambouillet ram in the 1901 show was $7,300, while in this show the highest price was only $2,000. About 70 per cent more animals were sold in 1902, however, and the average was higher. The Hampshire |