THE ARGENTINE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3165, 16 April 1909, Page 7

THE ARGENTINE.

REVIEW OF THE PAST AGRICULTURAL r EAR. The review <>f the agr ieulture of the Argentine Republic for the past year ia very satisfactory in every respect, writes a Buenos Ayres correspondent. In the first place, the area sown in 1908 wag greater by 800,000 hectareas than in 1907, and to this has to be added the fact that high prices have been maintained right through the year. The differences may be seen by the following figures:— Hectareas. 1907. 1908. Wheat 5,769,000 6,063,100 Linseed 1,392,000 1,534,300 Oats 285,000 633,300 Totals 7,446,000 8,230,700 The Chief of the Division of Statistics and Rural Economy has made some interesting statements in connection with these figures. It is stated that the simple comparison between these figures does not express the total of the progress recent- ( ly made by the agriculturists. There ■ v is an enormous extent of territory on which wheat has ceased to be sown for the purpose of dedicating it to alfalfa or to the rearing of cattle, which has now assumed gigantic proportions. This is also observed in the agricultural produces, especially in the province of Buenos Ayres, where, by the multiplication of the urban centres, the density of the population gives an opportunity for extensive variety of cultivation in order to satisfy the needs of local consumption. It is here that the greater value may be obtained for the land by reason of the splendid yield it may give. Also in this part of the territory there was an augmentation of the agricultural products for home consumption, and thus reduced notably those for exportation. At the end of November the total value of wheat, maize, linseed, and oats imported reached the grand total of 571,750,000 dollars., If to this total is added the value exported iD December, the year's export of he above cereals comes up to the 1 magnificent sum of 625,000,030 dollars. With regard to cattle rearing, until a few years ago there was very little difference between the exports of cattle and those of agricultural produce; but now the exports uf agricultural produce are superior to that of cattle by over a hundred million dollars. Last year was a "record"" one with regard to immigration, as nearly three huncrsd thousand souls entered the Republic, a very large number of these being sent by the I Government to the agricultural 1 regions. ARGENTINE AND NEW ZEALAND CONTRASTED. The Divisions of Commerce an Industries of the Ministry of Agriculture has recently received the statistics referring to the imports into Great Britain from Argentine for the eleven months of last year. It this it is stated that in the imports into England of chilled beef New Zealand heads the list, but it is observed that that country, which in the eleven months of 1907 exported to England 99,903 tons of congealed beef, only sent 85,805 tons during a similar period in 1908, whilst the Argentine Republic, in a similar period, had increased her exports of that article i'rrm 64,502 tons to 70,110 tons. Thi:;, the reports adds, shows a tendency in favour of the article from this country. CATTLE IMPORTATION FROM BELGIUM.

The officials of th<? Ministry of A(.;ricL!.i::ui\: M - y slill stuuyii;;' the ante eckni/;, in connection with the decree for the put pose of coming to a resolution as to the advisability of opening th'j ports of this Republic to bi'cedi:i r ; cattJs from Belgium, in response to the application of tnu Government of that country. According to the official reports from Belgium, the sanitary stata of the cattle of that kingdom is very satisfactory, all cattle-plague having now disappeared. It is, however, very doubtful if the request of the Belgian Government will be accceded to. During the investigation into this matter it -was that the number of sheep exported from this Republic i"to Belgium was 39,667 in 1907, and 70,435 in 1908. PROBABLE NORTH AMERICAN IMMIGRATION.

Some North American agriculturists have solicited from the Argentine Consul General in New York all information with reference to the qualify and price of land in this' Republic, the climate, the means of transport, etc., with the veiw of immigration here. This notice has been received herewith considerable rejoicings, and the Government has given orders for the preparation of all necessary statistics, etc., in order to illustrate the enormous resources and richness of the country. MORE UNITED STATES CAPITAL FOK ARGENTINE. After the purchase of the large : frigorifico establishment "La Blani ca" by a North American syndicate ■ the report comes now that some ( leading financial men in New ¥ork ' are in treaty for the purchase of i most of the other meat factories of the country. Just now a representative of these gentlemen is in this >, city, and it is reported that he is | negotiating for the purchase of these ! industries. Already the well-known \ shipping company, Lamport and Holt, is running a regular service of steamers between this port and New York with some interest in the concern. For the purpose of satisfactorily carrying frozen and chilled beef ar.d mutton four of these steamers are to be fitted with large freezing chambers. This frozen meat will be their principal cargo, although they will carry the mails and a few passengers.