The Parana is navigable for a thousand miles, above Buenos Ayres; and the upper Parana is navigable through the interior of Brazil for another thousand miles.

The navigation of the river Plate is difficult. The channels run in a tortuous course between extensive mud flats. They are not buoyed, and are very imperfectly lighted. The currents are rapid and so uncertain as to baffle the prophetic powers of the most experienced pilots. Hence the risk of losing a vessel is considerable, and the actual losses are even more than proportionate to the unavoidable risk incurred. No attempt seems to have been made to organise means for the salvage of vessels, which have been driven on to the banks and shoals. In the present state of the law of insurance every inducement is held out to the owner of a worn-out ship to bring her career to a close on one of the mud-banks in the Plate. There is no ground for apprehension that the distance from the land will be too great, or the sea too tempestuous for a boat to live in it. Thus the crew will be saved, while the sums recoverable from the underwriters will provide the means of replacing a decayed or obsolete ship by the purchase of a new vessel.

I cannot attempt to give a general description of the Argentine Republic. According to the recent report of Consul Cowper it contains upwards of 2,000,000 inhabitants, and its superficial area is estimated at 1,000,000 square miles, situated under every variety of climate. All the productions of the temperate zone are to be found in its central provinces, which enjoy a climate unsurpassed by any region of the globe.

With all the disadvantages of constant political disturbances, and most imperfect security both for person and property, the Argentine Confederation has advanced with marvellous strides. In a speech delivered in 1873 at Buenos Ayres, Dr. Rawson, an ex-minister, pointed out that the foreign commerce of the Republic had advanced from 26,000,000 dollars in 1862, to 80,000,000 in 1872; and that immigration had increased in the corresponding period, from 5,000 to 40,000. In this extensive commerce Great Britain has obtained an important share, as the following figures testify:

Of which England..... France... Belgium... United States..

3,868,824..... 1,978,861 3,645,027. 1,735,563 593,517

...

2,778,301 1,033,523.... 606,589

It was one of the principal objects of my visit to this country to examine the colonies established on the line of the Central Argentine Railway. As the son of the senior member of the firm of contractors, by whom it was constructed, I could not but regard that undertaking with peculiar interest. It is described by Messrs. Mulhall, the authors of an excellent Argentine Handbook, as the greatest work ever contemplated in the Republic, and a lasting monument of • that distinguished American, the late Mr. Wheelwright, the friend and townsman of Mr. Peabody, by whom the concession was obtained in 1853.

The line of the Central Argentine Company connects Rosario with Cordova, and forms the first section of a railway, which it was proposed by the original projectors to carry across the Andes, and thus establish a continuous line of communication between Valparaiso and the west coast of South America and the River Plate. This extensive plan is gradually being carried into execution. The line to Cordova was last year extended to Tucuman, a distance of 340 miles, and surveys for an extension to Jujuy have already been commenced.

Civil wars intervening, the scheme projected by Mr. Wheelwright lay in abeyance until 1852, when Congress gave a new concession. Interest at 7 per cent. was guaranteed for forty years, on a capital not exceeding 6,400l. a mile, and a free grant was made of a league of land on either side of the line. The extent of this grant was no less than 600,,000 acres. This territory has since. passed into the hands of an association, which has endeavored to introduce Scotch, Swiss, and Italian colonists into the country. Their operations have not been attended with success; and I have been requested to examine into the state of affairs in the colonies, and to advise as to their future management.

The distance from Rosario to Cordova is 247 miles. The country traversed presents few physical features of special

interest. The province of Rosario is a grassy plain. After the boundary between the provinces of Rosario and Cordova is passed, the aspect of the country becomes more arid. There are extensive tracts of deserts, producing only a few stunted bushes. We saw deer and ostriches more than once from the footplate of the engine. A few bands of Indians, not more domesticated in their habits than the indigenous animals, and far more savage and cruel in their nature, roam over these vast wastes, and occasionally attack an isolated estancia. The native inhabitants are almost exclusively occupied as graziers, whether of sheep or cattle. With the view, how ever, of attracting a more numerous population, and thus creating a busy traffic on the railway, an attempt was made to introduce arable cultivation on the lands conceded to the Central Argentine Railway Company. For this purpose the land was divided into plots of 80 acres each, and settlers were introduced from Europe. All their expenses were paid by the company, and each was provided with a small hut and a well on his allotment. The first colonies were laid out in the vicinity of the stations nearest the Rosario Terminus. Five of these colonies have been formed, with a total population of 4,524 Europeans and 1,000 native settlers. The largest of these is Roldan, with a population of 2,369. The more fertile lands will produce abundant crops of wheat for four years in succession, without manure, or a rotation of green crops. A station master on the line rents 3,000 acres of land, of which 1,000 acres were sown with wheat. In 1875 he raised six bushels of wheat per acre, at a cost of 11s., the selling price being 225. The unsettled condition of commercial affairs in the Argentine Republic is clearly indicated in the extraordinary fluctuations in the prices of wheat. In Rosario, in 1876, the highest price was 525. the bushel. This lasted for a very short time only. The price then fell to about 255., at which figure it stood for more than six months. These oscillations are a great drawback to farmers, and make it almost impossible for them to borrow capital for agricultural operations.

As a rule a crop of nine bushels of wheat per acre pays well. Twenty

bushels, however, are often grown. Consul Joel, in his report for 1875, quotes a case that had come under his own observation in Roldan, one of our colonies, where a colonist sowed 6 bushels on 81 acres, and cropped 360 bushels, which was over 40 bushels to the acre. seed was white wheat, which is used exclusively in this country for the manufacture of macaroni. The average yield of the colonies in 1875 was 121⁄2 bushels per acre.

The

It will be evident from these figures that arable cultivation would yield a highly satisfactory return, but for the frequent invasion of the locusts. Their periodical visits are a most grievous scourge. They destroy, in a few hours, crops, orchards, and vegetation of all kinds. While riding over Messrs. Hope's farm, we saw 1,000 acres of wheat which was just beginning to shoot, in the very process of being eaten up. The locusts were so numerous that they both darkened the air, and covered the earth with a swarm so dense, that the blades of corn were only just visible here and there. A horse walking through the wheat caused them to rise in myriads. It was possible that the wheat might partially recover, provided there were abundant rains after the locusts had departed, but even then they might reappear and resume the work of destruction. It will be evident that the locust in South America rivals the Colorado beetle in ominous and surprising capability for doing evil. The periodical recurrence of this terrible scourge makes it impossible for the farmer in these countries to rely on tillage alone. Tillage must be combined with pasture. The experience of the natives, who are the most successful settlers, has taught them this lesson. On the four leagues adjacent to Rosario, reserved by the Government from expropriation, and occupied exclusively by the natives, there is no tillage, but vast herds of cattle and large flocks of sheep are reared, and render an ample return to the estancieros.

In riding through the colonies a conspicuous difference is apparent between the condition of the individual colonists. Two men will be found, living side by side, who commenced colonial life under precisely equal conditions, having no capital, but with 8c acres of land assigned to

them for cultivation. Of these the one is prosperous, the owner of the land he uses, and free from debt to the company. His neighbor will have paid neither principal nor interest on the purchasemoney of his land, he will have done nothing to reduce his indebtedness for money advanced to him, and at the same time be living in a state of semi-starvation and misery. In such cases, and they are common, you generally discover an obvious explanation in the bright intelligent countenance of the one, and the dull heavy look of the other. Yet there are doubtless numerous instances of undeserved misfortunes.

The most unhappy of the colonies established on the line of the Central Argentine Railway, is situated at a station called Tortugas. For three years in succession the crops have been destroyed by locusts, drought, and hailstones. The drought is a misfortune peculiar to this colony. The other drawbacks are felt more or less in every part of the Argentine Confederacy. I conversed at length, with the manager, on the condition and prospects of the people under his charge. Unless their crop, which has already been devoured by locusts, recovered, their situation would be utterly hopeless. I very strongly urged the necessity of removing a portion of the colonists into a more favorable district, should the coming harvest again prove a failure. Nothing will be sacrificed by the adoption of such a course. The colonists have brought 2000 squares (each of 4 acres in extent) under cultivation, and the valuation of the cultivation was formerly estimated at 1os. a square. But the colonists themselves are now so thoroughly disheartened, that they would willingly leave their present lands without compensation, if they were to receive an allotment of an equal area of untilled land in a a more promising situation. Their dwellings being built of clods of earth, or dried bricks, have no value, except for the roof and tiles, and the latter could be taken down and carted to another site. The removal would not involve the company in any expense, as the settlers would be prepared to convey their scanty possessions in their own carts to their new allotments.

Having briefly described the actual condition of the colonies, I turn to the

NEW SERIES.-VOL. XXVI., No. 6

policy to be adopted in the management of these estates in the future. The grave error of introducing emigrants from Europe at the expense of the company is not likely to be repeated. The special case of the colonists at Tortugas excepted, no further expenditure should be incurred, whether in giving aid to those already settled on our lands, or in attracting new settlers.

The natives, and foreigners, who have already had experience in this country, succeed best, and are the most regular in their payments. The policy of the company is to sit still, and to be prepared to negotiate sales with all comers, who can show that they possess sufficient resources to justify them in making an agreement to purchase land. There will be no lack of suitable settlers. Italian Protestants have of late been removing from the north to settle on our land. These men are thrifty, industrious, and acquainted with the most effective methods of tilling land in these countries.

It has already been stated that the concession of land from the Government to the Railway Company formed a vast territory of no less than 146 square leagues. Its value, however, is but small, and the prices, low as they are, which may ultimately be expected, can only be realised in a long lapse of time. I give the figures as an indication of the wild character of the country in the South American republics.

Forty-two leagues of the concession are situated within the province of Santa Fé, of which Rosario is the capital. The value of these lands is 6,000l. a league. Ten leagues of marshy land in the same province are worth 3,000l. a league. Ninety-four leagues are in the province of Cordova. The district is an uninhabited desert, and the value of the land does not exceed 500l. a square league.

I quitted the colonies of the Central Argentine Land Company profoundly impressed with the conviction that all attempts to stimulate emigration artificially are full of hazard.

Starting on the 22nd of September we made an interesting excursion into the province of Buenos Ayres. Proceeding twenty miles by railway and ten miles in carriages over the pampas, we reached a large farm, belonging to one of the principal tramway companies of the city.

45

The farm is 2,500 acres in extent, and consists of good pasture land, watered by a brimming brook. It was purchased a few years ago for 8,000l., and no less than 24,000l. has been offered for the property within the last six months. A hundred men are here employed as horsekeepers, and in gathering in the hay and green crops required for a stud of 800 horses. The wages of the farm laborers, or peons, are 27. a month. They are lodged and found at an additional cost of thirty shillings a month.

Lucerne is the most advantageous food for cattle in this country. Five crops are obtained every year. Of maize the return is ample. Oats are a failure nothing but straw is produced. 'Wheat,' says Sir Woodbine Parish, 'requires the cooler climate of the southern part of the provinces.' Flax and hemp have been tried with success. The vine, the orange, the fig, and the peach flourish luxuriantly, especially the latter. The price of lean stock is about thirty shillings a head. When fatted, which takes about three months on good land, the same cattle will fetch 41. a head. Horses not broken can be bought for 37., and will generally stand regular work in the tramway cars for a period of five years. Cattle for forming herds are obainable at from 18s. to 20s. per head.

From the tramway farm we drove to the estancia of Mr. B, and on the following morning I rode round his It contains 25,000 sheep, which are fed on 3,820 squares of land, each of 4 acres in extent. In the province of Buenos Ayres it is commonly estimated that from 20,000 to 17,000 sheep can be fed on a league of superior land. If this assumption can be justified by experience, land in the Argentine Confederation will carry more sheep than an equal area in Australia. Here three sheep can be fed on one acre. In Australia three acres are required to feed one sheep. In the Argentine Confederaation wool can be produced for 4d. per pound. In Australia unwashed wcol could not be produced under 9d. per pound. The Australian wool is now nearly as burry as the Argentine, but the former has a superior staple. In the Argentine Confederation a flock of 2,000 sheep should produce 400 arrobas of wool, an arroba weighing 25 35 pounds avoir

dupois. The arroba should sell for 75 dollars; and taking off 10 dollars for the expenses of shearing, baling, and other charges, there remains a profit of 65 dollars a ton, or 11s. per arroba, or a total return of 220/. from each flock of 2,000 sheep. The positive expenses for the maintenance of such a flock, including the rent of land and the wages of the shepherd, are from 120l. to 150l. a year. The wool alone should pay all the expenses of the Argentine sheep-owner, and a profit of 5 per cent. on the capital embarked. The tallow and the new stock are a clear additional profit. In good years, the profits realised in this. country are much larger than in Australia. On the other hand the risks from drought are greater. The calculations I have given are based on statements furnished to me by gentlemen of long experience, who have had many opportunities of comparing their results with those obtained in Australia. It is, however, possible that an Australian sheepfarmer might be disposed to modify the figures in favor of his own country.

The same subject was ably discussed by Mr. Macdonnell in the report, which he wrote when Chargé d'Affaires at Buenos Ayres. He does not advise emigrants to come to the River Plate with the view of engaging in agriculture; for though the soil, consisting of marine and alluvial deposit, is remarkably fertile, yet there are numerous obstacles to successful cultivation,' including sudden changes of temperature, violent storms of wind, dust, and rain, long-continued droughts, heavy and persistent rains, locusts, bichos, basket-worms, and ants.'

Mr. Macdonnell recommends sheepfarming as the most lucrative occupation in which British settlers can engage. Cattle-farming is mostly in the hands of natives, many of whom have made large fortunes. Herds of cattle require extensive pastures, and can be kept most advantageously in the outlying provinces, where land is cheap. For sheep a less extent of land is necessary, but it should be of superior quality.

The natural grasses of Buenos Ayres possess admirable fattening qualities, and the flocks produce a description of wool especially adapted for fine kersey cloths, and extensively consumed in France and Belgium. The yarn spun from it in the

latter country is in great demand in Scotland and the north of Germany.

The increase in the export of wool is remarkable. While 42,275 bales were exported in 1860, there were exported in 1870 of wool 100,369 bales, of the value of 2,195,1197., and upwards of 57,000,000 pounds of sheepskins.

Mr. St. John, the successor of Mr. Macdonnell, in his report for 1875, speaks of wool as by far the most important product of the country. The amount in English pounds exported in 1873 was 156,781,756, on which the official valuation was 3,416,156/., making the bale of 800 English pounds to be worth 177. 8s. 74d. In the following year the same authority gives the value of the wool exported at 3,592,6297., distributed as follows:

-

be

The Italians come here almost exclusively in the hope of amassing such a competency as may enable them to end their days in their native land in comparative comfort, if not in affluence. Of the 140,000 or 150,000 Italians who have landed in this Republic since 1862, one-third at least have returned home. The Italians cannot therefore esteemed a valuable addition to the population of the Republic. They seldom have sufficient enterprise to leave the towns and bring new districts under cultivation. The great body of the emigrants to the United States are men of a very different stamp. They come almost exclusively from Germany and Great Britain. 'According to official data,' says Mr. Macdonnell, 400,000 immigrants land yearly in the United

States; of these seventy-five per cent proceed immediately to the interior. Here, however, during the year 1870, out of upwards of 40,000 immigrants, not more than 1,000 proceeded to the interior provinces.'

The difference between the United States and the Argentine Republic is, that in one case the immigrant is a producer, in the other a consumer. Eightynine per cent. of the Anglo-German immigrants who land in New York are agriculturists; the arrivals from the south of Europe scarcely exceeding 3,000.

The statistics of population afford conclusive evidence of the non-agricultural tendency of the Argentine immigrants. Out of a population of 1,736,901, 1,114,160 are disseminated over 500,000 square miles, or barely two 'inhabitants per square mile. On the other hand, the density of population in the city of Buenos Ayres is 40,000 per square mile, or one-third more than that. of London. The immigrants from Italy remain for the most part in the capital.

Like the Brazilian Government, the authorities of Buenos Ayres have made some abortive efforts to establish State colonies in the Republic. A wiser policy has been adopted in the United States. The action of their government has been limited to the enactment in 1862 of the liberal homestead law, which has attracted emigrants to the States in numbers, increasing rapidly from 76,396 in 1861, to 156,844 in 1862, and 258,989 in 1869. In the Argentine Republic the principle of free gifts of land has not as yet been accepted. The land law, passed at Buenos Ayres in 1871, contains provisions for the sale of the frontier lands in lots of eight square leagues, or 13,300 acres, at prices equal to 1s. 9d. per statute acre, payable one tenth in cash, and the remainder in eight yearly instalments.

The experience of public and private efforts to foster emigration by artificial means has been equally discouraging in Brazil and the Argentine Republic. It must be the same in all descriptions of enterprise, where success can only be achieved by much toil and acute intelligence, stimulated to the highest degree by the prospect of adequate reward for exertion, and by the conviction that. there will be none to share or to mitigatethe consequences of indolence or inca