Chapter II: Part 2

The lowest rate at which a _suerte_ of land for cattle feeding can be hired is $400 a year. There are fields, however, that can produce two, three and four times more. The hectare of agricultural land may be hired at a yearly price of $1.20. In some departments, like that of Canelones, where the agricultural industry has improved a great deal, the yearly renting is $4.00 and more.

The land pays the property tax or _Contribucion Inmobiliaria_, at the uniform rate of 6-1/2 per thousand in relation with the value that the law has fixed to the land according to the departments.

Agriculture.

The Oriental Republic of Uruguay is an essentially pastoral country.

Its fields, covered with good and nutritive grass, are nearly all of them divided into _estancias_ for cattle breeding, that, to the present time, is the principal source of riches of the country.

Agriculture, however, has already reached a high degree of importance in the departments of Montevideo, Canelones, Colonia, San Jose, Soriano, Paysandu, Salto, Florida, Durazno, Maldonado. It is not quite so important in the other departments as in the three first ones. However, in the environs of the villages and centres of population, there are great many farms and agricultural centres that produce cereals and vegetables for local consumption. The exceeding crop, in the prosperous years, is immediately sent to the principal commercia centres of the Republic, which allows the export of corn, flour, wheat, canary-seed, flax, trefoil, barley, etc.

Although the Republic counts with a fertile soil, and finds itself in the very best conditions for any kind of agricultural industry, agriculture, however, remains still in a secondary degree, in spite of its late improvements, and in spite of the large extension of land which began last year to be cultivated.

However, after all the necessities of the country have been satisfied there generally remains an important surplus of agricultural and rural products, when the crop is good, that may be calculated over $1,200,000.00.

The wheat grown in Uruguay is reputed to be the best in all South America, and effectively got the gold medal in the Universal Paris Exhibition in the year 1878.

In this country one _fanega_ of wheat (the fanega is equivalent to 105 or 113 kilogs more or less) produces sometimes from 20 to 30 fanegas; one of maize produces from 150 to 200, one of barley from 18 to 30.

Besides wheat and maize, the sowing of which is most important, the grape vine, the olive, tobacco, flax, canary-seed, hemp, chick-pea, beans of all kinds, potatoes, (two crops a year,) peas, lentils, Spanish potatoes, beet-roots, etc., etc., are also cultivated with very good results.

As we have said, the vegetables are produced in a great variety and abundance.

The tobacco culture is also a new source of wealth opened to the economical movement of the country. Although this industry still goes rather slowly, there are already many establishments in the interior where it has been undertaken with very good results.

Agricultural Centres.

Many are the agricultural centres, generally known by the name of _colonies_, established all over the Republic, that, owing to the special conditions of the land which is fit for all cultures, have notably improved.

Among the principal colonies, or agricultural settlements, there are:

1st. The _Valdense Colony_, founded in 1858. It has an area of 19,432 square cuadras (14,338 hectares 5,035 metres).

Its population in 1884 was 306 families, forming a total of 1,681 inhabitants. To-day, there are more than 2,200 inhabitants. It possesses the best agricultural machinery, steam-mills, and steam and water mills, good carpenters, blacksmiths, and in a word all the establishments necessary to the unceasing progress of such agricultural centres. It has two Evangelical churches, a public library with over a thousand books, eight schools, a postoffice, a municipal commission and a police office.

2d. _Swiss_, _Quevedo_ and _Spanish Colonies_. The _Swiss Colony_ was founded in 1863. It has an area of 8,782 square cuadras, or 6,480 hectares, 709 metres. The _Quevedo Colony_ has an area of 5,091 square cuadras, or 3,756 hectares and 5,521 metres, and the _Spanish Colony_ 9,600 square cuadras, or 7,083 hectares, 6,576 metres.

These three agricultural centres form a total of 17,320 hectares, over which live more than 420 families. They possess steam-mills, schools, many commercial establishments. In the Swiss Colony there are two churches--a Catholic and Protestant. The public administration of these settlements consist of a municipal commission, a justice of peace and an attorney. They also have a postoffice.

3d. _Sauce Colony._ The first settlers who cultivated the soil in this agricultural centre were some Swiss people who, in the year 1879, hired the land where it now exists, In the years 1880 and 1881 other families came and settled themselves close to the first ones. In 1883, thirty families more came from the Valdense Colony; so that in 1884 the Sauce Colony counted 59 families.

4th. _Riachuelo Colony._ It is 10 kilometres distant, eastward, from Colonia del Sacramento. The first settlers have paid for all the land they had bought, being now the sole owners of it.

The formation and improvements of this colony are owed to the mere intelligence and work of the settlers. The land is of a very good quality and especially fit for wheat. The other plants like maize, barley, beans, potatoes, etc., give also a very good result. The settlers are mostly foreigners; and most of them are Italians. The colony possesses a large public building, which is destined to be the school and the church; besides this, it has also a national school of the first degree. The steam-mill that exists works only for the colony.

The above-mentioned colonies are situated in the Department of Colonia, and besides those, there are also the _Arrue_ and _Belgrano Colonies_.

5th. _Nuevo Berlin Colony._ In the Department of Rio Negro there exists, since a few years, the Nuevo Berlin Colony. It has over 1,033 hectares in full culture, and possesses steam ploughs and all kind of agricultural machinery.

6th. _Porvenir Colony._ The colonies in the Department of Paysandu are the _Villa Rosalia_ and _Esperanza_ colonies, of recent foundation, and the so-called _Porvenir_ colony. This last one is the most important one, counting already over 1,690 inhabitants. The languages spoken in the colony are Spanish and Italian. The soil cannot be better, and is fit for all kinds of culture. It possesses steam and water mills, a threshing Rausanes machine and a Hornsby. It has three schools--a public one and two private ones--and many societies, every one of them working for the improvement of the colony, and also other societies, the object of which is the purchase of all the necessary agricultural machinery. The public administration consists of a justice of peace, two attorneys, a police officer and a postoffice.

7th. _General Rivera Colony._ It is situated in the Department of Artigas, and has an extension of 4,987 hectares, over which they cultivate tobacco, maize, _mani_ and _mandioca_; it counts now over a hundred families.

8th. _Francisco Aguilar_ and _Francisco Dastre Colonies_. They are situated in the Department of Maldonado. The executive power, in the year 1883, ordered the necessary studies to be made for the demarcation of the land where the Francisco Aguilar Colony was to be established. Out of the 2,114 hectares which formed it, 1,359 were destined to general cattle feeding ground, and 755 to ploughing. The administration of the colony is intrusted to a directive commission.

In the year 1884 was established the Francisco Dastre Colony, in which 368 hectares are destined to ploughing and 59 to cattle feeding.

9th. _Santa Teresa Colony._ Situated in the Department of Rocha and founded on June 24th, 1885; it has 5,534 hectares, more or less.

10th. _Igualdad Colony._ It was founded in 1875, in the Department of Minas. It has a church and a school.

11th. _Harriague_, _San Antonia_ and _Lavalleja Colonies_. In the Department of Salto exist the colonies called, "Harriague," "San Antonio," "Lavalleja," "Cosmopolita" and "Estrella" that have all been founded a short time ago.

The Harriague colony has an area of 1860 square cuadras, or 1372 hectares. The principal culture is wheat and maize.

The San Antonio colony was founded by the government. The land was divided into small _estancias_ or _chacras_, or farms of 20 cuadras, more or less, each, that were given to some old servants of the state and settlers and are now consecrated to the sowing of cereals.

The Lavalleja colony was founded in a field of government land, and occupied by many native families. The government ordered the land to be divided into _chacras_, every one of them being given to the first settlers and some old servants as a reward for their services.

12th. _Paullier Colony._ In the department of San Jose is situated the colony of Paullier Brothers, founded in the year 1883. Its extension is 6,298 square cuadras or 4,647 hectares. In 1884 its population was 400 inhabitants; now it may be calculated to be more than 500. The quality of the soil cannot be better. The cheeses of this colony are the best made in the country, and constitute an important industry. The cows are all of good breed, and besides them the colony possesses a large number of valuable animals imported directly from Europe and bred and fed under shed.

13th. _Rio Negro Colony._ This colony is situated in the tenth district of the department of Tacuarembo, between the Rio Negro and the rivulets Cardozo and Cacique grande. It has a superficies of 38,216 square cuadras, (28,198 hectares, 8,602 metres), out of which 1,249 square cuadras, (921 hectares, 6,133 metres) form the district of the village called "Teniente General M. Tajes"; the remaining part is divided into 361 _chacras_ or farms.

The area of each _chacra_ varies from 29-1/2 to 88-1/2 hectares.

A third part of the _chacras_ are already occupied, and although the colony is of a quite recent foundation the results obtained by the settlers cannot be hoped to be better. The colony possesses already six dairies. It is sure to become, very soon, one of the most important agricultural settlements, on account of its good situation, which permits the easy exporting of its products by the railway, not only to the interior of the Republic but also to the very frontier of Brazil.

The land is very good for plowing, on account, also, of its situation and of the many rivers that run through it, and is quite fit for the sowing of wheat and maize, and also for the culture of tobacco and the grape vine.

The village "Maximo Tajes" that belongs to the same colony has a railway station, a fruit market, a public square, a postoffice, a police-office, and very soon they are going to build a church and a school.

14th. _Antonio Crespo Colony._ It was founded in 1891 in the sixth district of the department of Tacuarembo, in the place called "Aldea," a league and a half distant from San Fructuoso.

15th. _Stajano Colony._ In the department of Durazno and at a short distance of the so-called town, the capital of the department, was recently founded a new colony, called "Stajano Colony." It has an area of 7,378 hectares and between 300 and 400 inhabitants; all along the river Yi it possesses many thick woods. The railway station is only one kilometre distant from the town.

During these last two years, in all the rural districts devoted to cattle feeding, they have everywhere begun preserving part of the land for the culture of cereals, potatoes, etc. ... forages and trees fit for cutting and burning. Thus the production of the land has been increased still, and also the rural activity, preparing a total transformation in the cattle feeding and general rural industry of the country.

16th. _Piriapolis._ So as to give an idea of what the collective capital can do and what results all undertakings may obtain, the object of which is to foment agricultural industry and colonization, something is to be said here of what has already been done by that intelligent and indefatigable business man, Mr. Francisco Piria.

At a distance of some 140 kilometres from Montevideo, by land, and 50 miles by river, over a superficies of 1,992 hectares, among very picturesque hills, watered by the River Plate and bounded northward by the ridge of hills of Pan de Azucar, lies the new establishment called _Piriapolis_, divided into two large fractions, one of which is devoted to general culture and various industries, and the other intended to be a bathing town, with its own port, a beautiful bay, and a large, neat and secure harbor.

_Piriapolis_ was founded, at the most, two years ago, still it already possesses a large building for the direction of the colony, houses for two hundred workmen, 400 kilometres of land all surrounded by iron wire fencing, many natural wells, and brick ovens. They have also begun the drilling of many artesian wells.

The plantations are 80 hectares, planted with vines (the plants are 2 and 3 years old); three millions of vine-shoot of the best varieties; a nursery with 200,000 olive trees; another nursery with a million of plants, ash trees, maple trees, acacias, etc., ... 300,000 trees to be planted next autumn in the streets and avenues of the bathing town. Groves of eucalyptuses, acacias and other quick-growing trees have already been planted all around the town, covering an extension of 400 hectares.

Two hundred and sixty hectares have been sowed with wheat, beans, French beans, Spanish beans, potatoes and other vegetables.

Great plantations of fruit trees have also been made, and the culture of tobacco has been tried over 80 hectares.

Next year 50 houses more are going to be built, and also a church, a school, a municipal house and a police office.

When all these works are concluded then will take place the solemn inauguration of _Piriapolis_.

The soil in _Piriapolis_ is very good. The bed of _humus_ or arable ground is 30 centim., and sometimes 1 met., 20 centim. deep. In some parts there are beneath that bed of humus other large beds of carbonate of lime, from one to two metres thick.

There are various springs of mineral waters, the properties of which have been officially recognized.

Among the natural extractive riches of the colony, there are some 300 hectares of forests, the trees of which are between five and six metres high. The cutting of trees has already begun, and a result may be hoped of 6,000 carts of wood, that will give a liquid product of $1.20 each cart.

There are also beautiful granite quarries, with pieces of stone some metres high. The granite of _Piriapolis_ can be extracted and cut very easily. Its price is hardly 20 per cent. of what it generally costs in the other quarries. A contract has been recently made for the purchase of 20,000 posts, 1^m 80 high, by 0^m 25 thick, at the rate of 15c. each. The Directive Commission intends to work the quarries on a great scale, and to establish the working of the stone.

Actually, in _Piriapolis port_, they have begun to build a quay, a 100 m. long. The depths of the bay varies between 4 and 7 fathoms, at a distance of some 250 m. from the coast.

A road is already opened to public service. It is 30 m. broad and on each side of it a double row of trees has been planted. This road puts _Piriapolis_ in communication with the rest of the Department of Maldonado, and will be useful for the trade and commerce of the Department of Minas.

_Piriapolis_ is actually a reunion of farms and a territorial speculation, which is called to foment the density of the population and also the improvement of all kind of production; it divides the land and gives it every day more value, making it every day more productive by its agricultural industries, and also by the foundation of that bathing town, which secures a great consumption of the products, whilst at the same time the River Plate and the ocean permit the easy exporting of the same.

The Grape-Vine in the Republic.

The culture of the vine is improving a great deal in the Republic owing to the good results obtained by those, who some years ago, tried the establishing of vine plots, which is now one of the most important industries of the country and will soon be an inexhaustible source of riches for the Republic.

Since a few years, great many people have consecrated important areas of their lands to the establishing of vine-plots, and to-day the extension of land covered with them is more than 2,000 hectares, the greatest part of which are already producing.

Many societies have been created for fomenting that new industry, among which we may mention the _Viticola Uruguaya_ with a capital of $120,000 and the _Viticola Saltena_ with a capital $200,000.

The _Viticola Uruguaya_ counts with:

_Vine-Plots._

17 hectares, with plants 5 years old, $3,500 $59,500.00
51 " " 3 " 1,500 76,500.00
24 " " 1 " 200 4,800.00

_Land._

1,283 hectares, which have cost $28,279.65
Fencing 2,000.00

_Other Plantations._

150,000 forest trees, 2, 3 and 4 years old
at 10 cents each $15,000.00
8,000 olive trees, in nurseries, 10 cents
each 800.00
2,000 fruit trees, 20 cents each 400.00
Various Plants 1,000.00

_Materials for Construction._

Existing materials $800.00

_Buildings and Cellars._

Existing buildings and cellars $8,000.00
___________
$197,079.65

Although the culture of the vine was introduced into the country a great many years ago by Mr. F. Vidiella in the South, and Mr. Harriague in the North, it may be said that it is only six years ago since this culture has been really improved and spread with great intensity all over the Republic.

The actual products of the best vine-plots may be calculated for each vintage over 6,000 barrels, that is to say over 1,400,000 litres, without counting the small vine-plots that, however, gives a fair contingent for domestic consumption.

Owing to this production and also to the diminution in the consumption on account of the crisis of 1890, an important diminution is noted in the year 1891 in the importation of ordinary wines.

Red and White Wines. Litres. Value.

Imported in 1889 33,549,815 $4,173,917
" 1890 29,327,420 3,632,490
" 1891 21,483,614 2,634,547

After a few years more the importation of ordinary wines from France, Spain and Italy will be reduced to nearly nothing.

A vine-plot, 30 hectares large and 14 years old, has given a liquid product, free from all duties, of $20,000.

Therefore, owing to the advantages that the country presents for the culture of the vine, and owing also to the vigorous impulse given to that culture during the last few years, it may be said that the day is not far remote in which the Uruguay fields will be covered with vine-plots, producing all sorts of wines, not only for local consumption, but also for exportation to Brazil and the Argentine Republic.

Uruguay Rural Association.

Under this name there exists since the year 1871, in Montevideo, an important institution dedicated to protecting the rural rights and interests, and propagating all the sciences that may be useful to agriculture, cattle-breeding and all other rural industries. The Association is the editor of an interesting publication which, with the same name as that of the society, is issued twice a month. The members of the Association continually study all that may be of interest for the progress and improvement of agriculture, cattle-feeding and all rural industries; and their studies have been extremely useful to the country.

Among the services rendered by the _Uruguay Rural Association_ may be mentioned the compiling of the _Rural Code_, which is considered now as one of the laws of the nation. This "Rural Code" entrusts to the Association the rural administration of the country, and the Government consults its members over all that concerns the rural interests.

The Association possesses a large library with all the papers, reviews and books concerning rural industries. Frequently some of the members deliver lectures, which are afterwards published in the _Review_.

Cattle.

The war which ended in the year 1851, and, on account of its duration, was called the "Guerra Grande" (the great war), and the siege of Montevideo during nine years, contributed in a notable way to produce a diminution in the quantity of cattle and flocks which existed before in the Republic.

The census one year after that war (1852) only gave as the number of live stock 3,858,176, thus distributed: 1,888,622 cattle, 1,127,069 horses, 19,490 asses and mules, 796,289 sheep, 25,300 pigs, and 1,406 goats.

Eight years after (1860) when the second census was made, according to the declarations made for the payment of the Direct Contribution, there were 6,159,909 animals--that is to say: 3,632,203 cattle, 518,208 horses, 8,301 asses and mules, 1,939,929 sheep, 5,831 pigs, and 5,437 goats.

In 1886, when the farmers had still to pay the tax, according to the declarations, there were 23,967,263 animals--6,254,490 cattle, 17,245,977 sheep, 442,525 horses, 7,032 mules, 5,405 goats and 11,833 pigs.

These last figures, if compared with the former ones, prove an increase of 2,301,733 animals, or 59.65 per cent. over 1852, in favor of 1860; and of 20,109,087 animals, or 21.20 per cent. over 1852, in favor of 1886.

This increase could produce itself, notwithstanding the great quantity of animals killed every year for consumption, slaughter of the _Saladeros_ and exportation of live stock, which represent considerable quantities.

If we bear in mind the increase that corresponds to every kind of live stock in these last years, and the quantities of animals possessed by many thousands of inhabitants who do not pay any tax for them, it may be said that the number of live stock and the value it represents in the Republic is more or less, as follows:

Cattle alone for breeding, and
young bulls ($6.00 each) 8,000,000 $48,000,000
Oxen ($15.00 each) 690,000 10,350,000
Horses ($6.00 each) 599,000 3,594,000
Asses and mules ($12.00 each) 11,000 132,000
Sheep ($0.60 each) 23,000,000 13,800,000
Goats ($1.00 each) 24,000 24,000
Pigs ($6.00 each) 23,000 138,000
---------- -----------
Animals 32,347,000 $73,038,000

If we distribute the 32,347,000 of live stock of all kinds over the 186,920 kilometres which is the total superficies of the Republic, we find for each square kilometre 173.05 animals; if we distribute them among the 708,168 inhabitants, we find that 45.67 animals of all kinds correspond to each inhabitant.

As regards the value represented by live stock and corresponding to each inhabitant, we find $103.13 for each.

The following table shows what place the Republic occupies among other nations:

======================+=============================
| Heads of Cattle for every
| 1,000 inhabitants.
|---------+----------+--------
| Cattle. | Sheep. | Horses.
----------------------+---------+----------+--------
Uruguay Republic | 11,299 | 32,485 | 846
Argentine Republic | 5,464 | 27,955 | 1,868
Germany | 375 | 595 | 80
Spain | 185 | 1,404 | 43
France | 307 | 646 | 77
Italy | 130 | 324 | 37
Great Britain | 292 | 946 | 86
======================+=========+==========+========

The rather cruel experience acquired during the crisis of the year 1890, the effects of which are still to be felt, has opened new ways to the economical activity of the country, and has given a new impulse to all agricultural pursuits. Notwithstanding the scarcity of capital and the difficulties of the ways of communication, the cattle feeding has improved a great deal, with the sowing of hay and pasture of all kinds, and with the crossing of the best varieties cattle imported from Europa or bred in many important national farms.

The improvement of the varieties, in order to obtain better flesh, fat, milk, butter, wool and hides, and the taming of all the native animals, is absolutely necessary, and therefore is a powerful attraction for those who would come over to this country and dedicate themselves to cattle feeding and breeding, being sure, beforehand, of getting good profits by exporting live animals and also dead animals, by the frigorific system, to the Brazilian and European markets.

The last two years have not been very favorable to cattle industry; but the present year shows itself as if going to be very propitious to that industry, which is in such a perfect harmony with the excellent qualities of our natural fields and meadows.

Here, no pest, no contagious disease is to be feared for the cattle. The forage and water are wholesome, nutritive and pure; the climate cannot be better.

With such conditions as these, it will be easily understood why cattle industry gives a profit of more than 20 per cent. and why it is generally a sufficient compensation to the scarce production of the bad years produced by an excessive dryness or a transitory diminution in the consumption of Brazil and Europe.

Slaughter in the Saladeros.

KILLING SEASON IN THE KILLING GROUNDS.

There exist various _saladeros_ or killing grounds in the Department of Montevideo and along the coasts of the Uruguay. Some of them are very important.

There they dry the flesh, prepare the _tasajo_ or dried meat, salt the hides, burn the bones and elaborate extracts of meat.

To prove the importance of the _faena_ or killing season in those establishments in the Republic of Uruguay, we give the following comparative table:

==========================================
| ANIMALS KILLED IN THE SALADEROS.
| -----
Years. | Argentine Repub. | Uruguay Repub.
-------+------------------+---------------
1876 | 551,443 | 625,457
1877 | 662,500 | 527,600
1878 | 572,500 | 677,026
1879 | 539,000 | 556,500
1880 | 491,500 | 665,500
1881 | 399,000 | 576,170
1882 | 434,500 | 738,500
1883 | 365,100 | 704,400
1884 | 316,800 | 853,600
1885 | 610,700 | 647,029
1886 | 480,900 | 751,067
1887 | 327,208 | 499,554
1888 | 467,450 | 773,449
1889 | 701,400 | 708,923
1890 | 764,000 | 642,100
1891 | 844,600 | 613,500
=======+==================+===============

A description of every one of the saladeros that exist in the Republic cannot be given here, being so limited in the space to be disposed of; however, it is necessary to make known the importance of the great establishment for elaborating the extract of meat by the Liebig system.

The establishment is situated on the coast of the River Uruguay, and is known to be the first establishment of its kind, not only in the River Plate, but also in all South America. The following lines will give an idea of it.

Two kilometres southward from Villa Independencia, in Fray-Bentos, Department of Rio Negro, is the great establishment of "_Liebig's Extract of Meat Co._" which forms by itself an important center of population.

It was founded in the year 1864 by M. Gibert. The first exportation of 230 kilogs of extract of meat got to Antwerp in November of the same year, and Baron Liebig declared that it surpassed all his hopes. Soon over 918 kilogs were exported monthly. In the year 1866 the Company was founded in London, and M. Gibert had all the machinery made in Scotland for the establishment, which began working in May, 1868. All the world knows now the extract, and its use is everywhere adopted, in the hospitals as well as in the barracks. At the Paris Exhibition in 1867 the highest prizes were given to M. Gibert for his _Extractum Carnis_, this extract being the only product out of 75,000 sent to the Exhibition rewarded with two gold medals. In Vienna also in 1873 it won the great gold medal over all the other systems employed in Australia and other countries. M. Gibert died in 1874. The establishment has gone on as prosperous as ever.

It possesses great and valuable buildings with powerful steam engines to put in motion the great machines destined to all the different preparations. The _galpon_ or shed where the animals are skinned and cut up is a first-class one and permits the killing of 1,000 animals per diem. During the killing season of 1891 208,800 animals were killed, and in 1892 156,200. The extract exported during the year 1890, represents, according to the customhouse statistics, 820,670 kilogs, and during 1891, 711,564, giving a value the first year of $1,677,408, and the second year of $2,134,692.00

The establishment is provided with great platforms for the drying of all the materials necessary to prepare the guano or artificial manure, with spacious sheds and machinery for reducing the materials to powder, and also another shed for the grinding of bones.

Over 7,500 tons of coal and 3,500 of salt are employed yearly.

The different works in the establishment employ more than 600 persons: and the population all around the establishment is of 2,500 souls.

It has good quays where ships of all draughts can come and be quickly loaded by powerful steam-cranes.

It has a school where a good education is given to more than a hundred children, the sons of the workingmen; it has also a social club and a band, composed of the workmen.

It possesses also all the workhouses necessary for the good preparation and packing of its products.

Many _suertes_ of land belong to this important association in the place called "Rincon de las Gallinas," where more than 35,000 heads of cattle feed.

The capital of the society is £500,000, divided into 25,000 shares, out of which only 24,300 were issued, the putting out of the other being quite unnecessary.

The shares, the primitive price of which was £20 in London are now quoted more than double. (£42 or £44.) The dividend received by the shareholders varies between 10 and 12 per cent.

This establishment gives life and activity to the important commercial centre of "Villa Independencia" and is a great stimulus for the cattle industry in the country.

Trade and Commerce.

The Republic has important commercial relations with all the principal European and American markets.

Its commerce is represented by the variety of goods imported into the country and the agricultural products and cattle exported to other countries.

The imported goods are, according to the statistics, all sorts of drinks, food and provisions, cereals and spices, stuffs of all kinds, clothes, materials for industry, machines and many other goods that cannot be classed here.

The principal exports of the country are salted meat, _tasajo_, preserved meat, extracts of meat, tallow, horns, bones, hides, wools, preserved and dried tongues, ostrich feathers, live stock, corn, flour, wheat, canary seed, hay, oats, bran, barley, flax, vermicelli, potatoes, stone, lime, granite, pavements, agate stone, etc., etc.

The following table gives an idea of the exports and imports of the Republic from the year 1862 to the year 1891.

------+------------+------------+-------------
| | |
Years.| Imports. | Exports. | Total.
------+------------+------------+-------------
1862 |$ 8,151,802 |$ 8,804,442 | $16,956,244
1864 | 8,384,167 | 6,334,706 | 14,718,873
1866 | 14,608,091 | 10,665,040 | 25,273,131
1867 | 17,657,918 | 12,077,795 | 29,735,713
1868 | 16,102,475 | 12,139,720 | 28,242,195
1869 | 16,830,678 | 13,930,027 | 30,760,705
1870 | 15,003,342 | 12,779,051 | 27,782,393
1871 | 14,864,247 | 13,334,224 | 28,198,471
1872 | 18,859,724 | 15,489,532 | 34,349,256
1873 | 21,075,446 | 16,301,772 | 37,377,218
1874 | 17,181,672 | 15,244,783 | 32,426,455
1875 | 12,431,408 | 12,695,610 | 25,125,018
1876 | 12,800,000 | 13,727,000 | 26,527,000
1877 | 15,045,846 | 15,899,405 | 30,945,251
1878 | 15,927,974 | 17,492,159 | 33,420,133
1879 | 15,949,903 | 16,645,961 | 32,595,864
1880 | 19,478,868 | 19,752,201 | 39,231,069
1881 | 17,918,884 | 20,229,512 | 38,148,396
1882 | 18,174,800 | 22,062,934 | 40,237,734
1883 | 20,322,311 | 25,221,664 | 45,543,975
1884 | 24,550,074 | 24,759,485 | 49,309,559
1885 | 25,275,476 | 25,253,036 | 50,528,512
1886 | 20,194,655 | 23,811,986 | 44,006,641
1887 | 24,615,944 | 18,671,996 | 43,287,940
1888 | 29,477,448 | 28,008,254 | 57,485,702
1889 | 36,823,863 | 25,954,107 | 62,777,970
1890 | 32,364 627 | 29,085,519 | 61,450,146
1891 | 18,978,420 | 26,998,270 | 45,976,690
------+------------+------------+------------

The participation every country had in the imports and exports of the country during the last five years is represented by the following figures:

IMPORTS.

====================+==========================================
| PER CENT.
|-------+--------+--------+-------+--------
| | | | |
FROM. | 1887 | 1888 | 1889 | 1890 | 1891
--------------------+-------+--------+--------+-------+--------
| | | | |
England | 27.26 | 32.32 | 28.44 | 27.17 | 28.85
France | 16.71 | 15.37 | 14.98 | 15.74 | 13.05
Brazil | 7.42 | 8.96 | 6.80 | 7.64 | 8.88
Spain | 8.73 | 7.49 | 7.10 | 6.71 | 2.63
Italy | 6.89 | 8.14 | 8.86 | 8.12 | 10.31
United States | 6.91 | 5.37 | 9.26 | 7.55 | 4.89
Germany | 11.53 | 10.32 | 9.32 | 8.67 | 9.72
Belgium | 4.86 | 5.41 | 4.42 | 4.59 | 3.85
Isle of Cuba | 0.88 | 0.61 | 0.51 | 0.60 | 1.10
Argentine Republic | 1.80 | 2.58 | 3.93 | 8.16 | 8.31
Chile | 0.39 | 0.40 | 2.38 | 0.86 | 0.67
Holland | 0.26 | 0.09 | 0.29 | 0.29 | 0.09
Paraguay | 0.61 | 0.44 | 0.23 | 0.40 | 0.51
Sweden | .... | .... | .... | 0.03 | ....
Portugal | 0.10 | 0.08 | 0.09 | 0.13 | 0.13
India } | | | | |
China } | 0.03 | 0.07 | 0.01 | 0.03 | ....
Japan } | | | | |
Peru and Ecuador | 0.03 | .... | .... | ..... | ....
Switzerland | 0.10 | 0.04 | 0.02 | ..... | ....
Mauritius | 0.05 | .... | .... | ..... | ....
Austria | 0.01 | .... | .... | ..... | ....
Canary Island | 0.01 | .... | 0.03 | 0.10 | 0.01
Russia | .... | .... | 0.56 | 0.04 | ....
Various ports | 5.42 | 2.28 | 2.77 | 3.17 | ....
--------------------+-------+--------+--------+-------+--------
Total |100 | 100 | 100 |100 | 100
====================+=======+========+========+=======+========

EXPORTS.

====================+===========================================
| PER CENT.
|--------+--------+--------+--------+-------
| | | | |
FOREIGN. | 1887 | 1888 | 1889 | 1890 | 1891
--------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+-------
England | 20.09 | 18.17 | 13.69 | 13.56 | 18.37
France | 13.29 | 16.27 | 20.13 | 21.04 | 23.27
Brazil | 13.67 | 19.39 | 12.69 | 11.27 | 17.55
Belgium | 17.96 | 12.25 | 15.84 | 10.80 | 13.25
United States | 8.16 | 8.31 | 5.55 | 6.89 | 6.85
Cuba | 5.12 | 2.22 | 0.96 | 0.81 | 1.29
Spain | 0.82 | 0.82 | 1.41 | 0.83 | 0.84
Italy | 1.69 | 1.32 | 1.47 | 1.23 | 2.08
Germany | 1.72 | 4.44 | 5.01 | 3.51 | 5.45
Argentine Republic | 6.00 | 7.34 | 8.82 | 8.77 | 9.16
Chile | 0.76 | 1.39 | 1.66 | 1.22 | 0.62
Paraguay | 0.03 | .... | 0.03 | 0.11 | ....
Reunion Island | 0.08 | 0.11 | 0.02 | .... | ....
Peru | 0.03 | 0.04 | .... | .... | ....
Portugal | 0.79 | 1.04 | 0.77 | 1.15 | 0.68
Maloina Island | .... | 0.06 | 0.01 | .... | ....
Canary Island | .... | .... | .... | .... | 0.01
Mauritius | .... | .... | .... | 0.20 | 0.04
Carribee Island | .... | .... | .... | 0.02 | 0.08
Barbado Island | 0.03 | .... | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01
Various ports | 7.67 | 6.83 | 11.93 | 18.58 | 0.45
--------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------
Total |100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100
====================+========+========+========+========+========

The trade and exterior commerce of the Republic in relation with its population has always been superior to that of the Argentine Republic and Chile.

The following table shows that out of the imported goods during the year 1891, there correspond to each inhabitant $13.50 more than to each inhabitant of the Argentine Republic, and $3.61 more than to each inhabitant of Chile. It shows also that each inhabitant has exported $10.19 more than each inhabitant of the first country, and $14 more than each one of the second country.

Argentine Republic (1891.) What corresponds
------- to each
4,000,000 Inhabitants. inhabitant.

Imports $ 67,207,780 $11.80
Exports 103,219,000 25.80
------------ ------
Total $170,426,790 $37.60

Chile (1891.)
-----
3,000,000 Inhabitants.

Imports $ 65,090,013 $21.69
Exports 65,963,100 21.99
------------ ------
Total $131,053,113 $43.68

Uruguay Republic (1891.)
-------
760,000 Inhabitants.

Imports $ 18,978,420 $25.30
Exports 26,998,270 35.99
------------ ------
Total $ 45,976,690 $61.29

The annual middle term of the commerce between this country and the United States of America from the year 1887 to the year 1891 is, for imports $2,014,267, and for exports $1,828,947; which proves a very important commerce between both countries, representing an annual value of $3,843,214 or $320,267, more or less, per month.

So as to prove the importance of our commerce with North America, as well in imports as in exports, we give here the statistics of this commerce during ten years, from 1882 to 1891:

Commerce Between the Oriental Republic of Uruguay and the United
States of America.

IMPORTS.

_I.--Drinks, in General._

1882 $ 66,733
1883 57,614
1884 20,826
1885 8,107
1886 11,849
1887 12,207
1888 7,432
1889 3,896
1890 5,796
1891 115

_II.--Eatables, Cereals, Spices._

1882 $ 80,036
1883 57,923
1884 81,075
1885 93,125
1886 73,097
1887 60,538
1888 48,980
1889 1,008,650
1890 188,581
1891 21,239

_III.--Tobacco, Cigars._

1882 $ 36,300
1883 28,235
1884 21,692
1885 31,510
1886 25,136
1887 24,386
1888 19,122
1889 26,234
1890 25,018
1891 17,074

_IV.--Stuffs, Cloth, Etc._

1882 $ 39,874
1883 47,849
1884 74,862
1885 86,230
1886 87,942
1887 118,346
1888 72,011
1889 99,590
1890 61,471
1891 38,320

_V.--Linen, Clothes._

1882 $ 593
1883 3,562
1884 1,809
1885 1,622
1886 3,011
1887 3,155
1888 1,316
1889 2,562
1890 1,675
1891 2,844

_VI.--Materials for the Industries, Machinery._

1882 $ 843,069
1883 623,170
1884 959,800
1885 1,349,687
1886 626,703
1887 985,165
1888 1,013,824
1889 1,660,774
1890 1,730,105
1891 404,659

_VII.--Various Goods._

1882 $ 370,106
1883 355,280
1884 412,862
1885 474,826
1886 419,081
1887 498,167
1888 422,223
1889 609,895
1890 432,390
1891 443,675

EXPORTS.

_I.--Live-stock._

From the year 1882 to the year 1891, there was no export of live-stock.

_II.--Cattle Industry, Saladeros._

1882 $ 2,344,794
1883 2,185,125
1884 1,781,766
1885 4,365,929
1886 2,714,172
1887 1,519,267
1888 2,322,854
1889 1,436,348
1890 2,003,739
1891 1,839,922

_III.--Rural Products._

From 1882 to 1885 there was no export.

1886 $ 6
1887 30
1888 17
1889 25
1890 ...
1891 24

_IV.--Various Goods._

1882 $ 2,260
1883 2,036
1884 3,387
1885 4,661
1886 4,906
1887 3,558
1888 4,128
1889 4,939
1890 477
1891 9,412

Money.

The coined money, imported and exported, has been during the last five years:

Years. Import. Export.

1887 $3,500,440 $ 7,127,147
1888 7,497,586 7,614,147
1889 5,696,111 10,148,668
1890 7,733,806 7,515,048
1891 6,417,405 5,618,582

Navigation.

The general navigation movement in the various ports of the Republic has become of great importance, owing to the commercial improvements and to the exemption from taxes granted by national legislation.

The following table gives an idea of it:

Years. Ships. Tonnage.

1875 20,394 3,116,161
1876 21,448 3,845,056
1877 22,102 4,370,721
1878 20,915 4,327,504
1879 22,272 4,595,040
1880 21,811 4,369,759
1881 23,053 4,435,860
1882 23,136 5,007,708
1883 22,837 5,422,538
1884 26,764 7,205,653
1885 29,731 8,590,543
1886 28,542 8,277,662
1887 29,994 9,423,337
1888 35,203 10,551,624
1889 35,582 12,444,462
1890 32,213 11,442,894
1891 27,207 9,482,644

During the last two years a diminution is observed, owed to the crisis and to the competition made by the Argentine ports--competition which will disappear when the work undertaken to improve Montevideo's port is complete, the project of which is already studied.

During the year 1891 have entered the ports of the Republic:

Tons.
From abroad 1,092 ships, with 1,429,661
From the Rivers:
Gen. coasting trade. 2,941 " " 1,302,648
Receptories 9,637 " " 2,009,951
---------
4,742,260

The ships were:

Tons.
7,099 steamers, with 4,157,905
6,571 sailing vessels, with 584,295
---------
13,670 vessels, with 4,742,200

That is to say, 1,139 vessels with 395,183 tons per month, or 37 vessels with 13,006 tons per day.

As regards the nationality of the 13,670 vessels entered, there were 5,229 national vessels, with 460,467 tons, and 8,441 foreign vessels, with 4,281,793 tons.

Of all the ports in the Republic Montevideo is the most important one.

During the year 1891 there entered:

_From Abroad._

Tons.
434 sailing vessels, with 275,184
658 steamers, with 1,154,477
----- ---------
1,092 vessels, with 1,429,661

_From the Rivers--Coasting Trade._

Tons.
1,680 sailing vessels, with 85,542
1,261 steamers, with 1,217,106
----- ---------
2,941 vessels, with 1,302,648

Which gives a total of 4,033 vessels, with 2,732,309 tons, for the year 1891.

The nationality of the vessels which entered the port of Montevideo was:

==============+=========+=========+=========+==========
Flags | Sailors | Tons | Steamers| Tons.
--------------+---------+---------+---------+----------
Germany | 21 | 14.136 | 112 | 183.450
Argentine Rep | 1 | 192 | 5 | 515
Austria | 7 | 4.673 | .. | .....
Brazil | 4 | 1.041 | 42 | 30.721
Belgium | .. | ..... | 20 | 33.668
Denmark | 10 | 1.842 | .. | .....
Spain | 73 | 21.463 | 15 | 30.577
Chile | .. | ..... | 1 | 22
France | 1 | 565 | 97 | 236.963
Holland | 9 | 5.490 | 1 | 2.267
England | 103 | 85.818 | 258 | 456.690
Italy | 58 | 35.129 | 97 | 174.812
North America | 19 | 10.720 | 2 | 3.081
Uruguay Rep. | 1 | 247 | 8 | 1.711
Russia | 4 | 3.921 | .. | .....
Sweden | 123 | 89.947 | .. | .....
|---------+---------+---------+----------
Total | 434 | 275.184 | 658 |1.154.477
==============+=========+=========+=========+==========

The vessels coasting were:

Ships. Tons.
With the national flag 1,551 99,538
With foreign flag 1,390 1,203,110
----- ---------
2,941 1,302,648

Goods.

According to the statistics the goods moved in the harbor of Montevideo during the last five years are calculated thus:

1887 1,187,557
1888 1,411,686
1889 1,773,610
1890 1,316,296
1891 1,089,992
---------
6,779,141

That is to say, a middle term of 1,355,828 tons moved per year, or 112,985 per month.

Lighthouses.

Along the coasts of the Republic, watered by the Atlantic Ocean and the River Plate, there are eleven lighthouses, established in the most convenient points, to guide and advise the sailors. To them must be attributed the notable diminution in the number of shipwrecks.

=================+=========+=======+==============+===========
| | | |
Situation | Light | Class | Luminous | Tax to
| | | power | be paid
-----------------+---------+-------+--------------+-----------
Cape Santa Maria | flash | 1st | 18 miles | 2 cts.
Polonio | steady | 3d | 15 & 16 " | 1-3/4 "
Jose Ignacio | " | 3d | 15 " | 1 "
Punta Brava | " | 4th | 8 " | 1 "
Farallon | " | 3d | 15 " | 1 "
Panela | " | 4th | 9 " | 1 "
Colonia | turni'g | 3d | 12 " | 1 "
Cerro | " | 1st | 25 " | 1 "
Isle of Flores | " | 2d | 15 " | 1 "
Banco Ingles | steady | 3d | 9 " | 1 "
Punta del Este | flash | 2d | 16 & 18 " | 1 "
=================+=========+=======+==============+==========

Lazaretto.

The Republic possesses one Lazaretto, established in the Isle of Flores, at a distance of 17 miles southeast from Montevideo.

It is quite comfortable and provided with everything that may be required for disinfecting and fumigating luggage and correspondence.

There is a telegraph and telephone line established between Montevideo and the Lazaretto.

Interior Commerce.

It has not yet been possible to calculate exactly and completely the interior commerce of the Republic, between Montevideo and all the other Departments. Statistics only give the figures representing the cattle and rural products imported to Montevideo by the Departments and that come by railway for local consumption and export.

This commerce gave, during the last five years, a total of 143,446 carts, that is to say a yearly middle term of 28,689.

There arrive daily to the Montevideo markets, by railroad and by the rivers, great quantities of skins, (oxen, horses, sheep) wool, horns, bones, tallow, ostrich feathers and other products of cattle industry, and among rural products great quantities of corn, wheat, flour, canary-seed, barley, mustard-seed, potatoes, garlick, French beans, onions, pumpkins, eggs, butter, fowl, cheeses, paving and lime stone, spirits and many other goods it would be too long to mention here.

There is an important increase every year in the quantity of cattle destined to local consumption, to the Montevideo saladeros and export.

Trade-Houses, Industries, Professions.

During the year 1891, 20,328 licenses were paid for by trade-houses, industries, professions and work-houses. The nationality of those who asked for their trade patent was:

Natives 4,134
Argentines 370
Brazilians 166
Italians 7,995
Spaniards 5,336
French 1,324
English 130
Germans 173
Swiss 186
Portuguese 116
Belgians 7
Swedish 7
Danes 5
Norwegians 6
Dutch 1
Austrians 52
North-Americans 28
Russians 6
Peruvians 1
Chilians 12
Paraguayan 11
Other Nations 262

Among the most important industries, must be mentioned: the Liebig Extract of Meat Company, the _saladeros_ or killing grounds, the spirits, wine and beer manufactures, flour mills, the starch and vermicelli manufactures, the soap, suet and oil manufactures, the gas, electric light and water companies, the match, brick, shoe and wooden shoe manufactures, the tan-yards, saw-mills, etc., etc.

There are in Montevideo a great many important spirit, wine, brandy, beer and match manufacturers; and there are sixteen of them in the departments. The Montevideo manufacturers give an annual product of:

Alcohol, 2,000,000 litres.
Beer, 1,700,000 "
Matches, 55,000 grosses.
Wine and Spirits, 400,000 litres.

According to the declarations made for the payment of the license tax, the capital represented by the trade houses, industries, etc, is $89,329,539.

The clerks employed by all these houses, manufactures and industries, were 11,639, and the workmen of various nationalities 16,621.

As a demonstration of the industrial importance and progress of the country, among many other establishments, the description of which cannot be made here for want of space, one may mention the great brewery _Germania_, established under the direction of Engineer J. A. Capurro.

It occupies a magnificent building situated in the "Playa Honda" in front of the Montevideo Bay. Its construction and interior distribution completely corresponds to all the technical necessities required for beer manufacturing. It is provided for night working, with electric light produced by a eight-horse dynamo and 68 lamps.

The establishment was built and is worked by a stock company.

It receives the waters of the River Santa Lucia, the very purest, the same that is drank in the town. It possesses, nevertheless, two immense filters, so as to make the water still purer.

The machinery comes from the renowned German manufacture of Chemnitz; it is 25 horse-power, and can give from 18,000 to 20,000 litres per day. The receiving depositories are two, the first one of a capacity of 12,000 litres, and the second of 8,000 litres; the cooling depositories can receive 9,000 litres every hour and a-half, with a temperature that can go to 14° under naught. The clarifying is made by three filters of the most modern system, without any paper application. The fermentation cellar contains three large tubs of a capacity of 3,000 and 3,500 litres. There are also 6 great cellars, for depositories, with 34 tubs each; 18 of them can contain 5,000 litres each and the other 16, 3,500 litres.

With a compressed air machine they cork 10,000 bottles a day.

The ice depositories are beautiful; they always remain at a temperature of 12 or 20° under nought.

The "_Germania_" also has many other depositories for the raw materials, empty bottles and casks, another for 5,000 litre tubs, brought on purpose from Germany; a forge, a workshop for cask-making, ten carts and stables for 30 horses, and many offices.

It possesses a quay on the bay for loading and unloading and, during the season of most activity, employs over a hundred workmen and clerks.

This establishment represents a capital of over half a million dollars.

During the season it sells over 200,000 litres per month to nearly 1,500 or 2,000 establishments.

The same society possesses also a starch and an alcohol manufactory. They are very important establishments, provided with the very latest inventions of European and North American manufacture.

In the same conditions are also the Richling and Niding Beer Manufactories.

Banks, Anonymous Societies.

The Republic counts with a great many banks and anonymous societies, that make easier all commercial transactions.

The emission banks are: The _London and River Plate Bank_, that on December 31, 1891, had an active capital of $8,911,000; the _Italian Uruguay Bank_, with an active capital of $7,714,521; the _Spain and River Plate Bank_, with $4,614,752; the _Italo-Oriental_, with $10,432,276, and the other banks called _National Bank_, _English and River Plate Bank_, which actually are in liquidation, being the active of the first bank, 31st December, 1890, $61,630,320, and that of the second, $15,298,406.

Among the discounting banks, there are the _Commercial Bank_, the _French Bank_, the _South America British Bank_, the _Anglo-Argentine Bank_.

The principal anonymous societies are; The "Credito Real Uruguayo," the "Industrial," the "Cobranzas, locacion y Anticipos," the "Agencia de Tierras," the "Colonization y Fomento del Uruguay," the "Caja de Credito Uruguayo," the "Auxiliar de Credito y Alquileres," the "Co-operativa de Consumo," the "Caja Nacional Uruguaya," the "Edificadora de Montevideo," the "Mercantil del Plata," the "Vegas Uruguayas," the "Viticola Uruguaya," the "Viticola Saltena" and many others that represent important capitals.

Commerce Halls.

In Montevideo there is the important commercial centre called "Bolsa Montevideana," or Montevideo Exchange Hall. There are also the French, the Italian and the Spanish Commercial Boards, that make easier and easier the exchange of goods between the Republic and France, Italy and Spain.

Means of Communication and Conveyance.

All the towns and villages of Uruguay littoral communicate with the capital by the regular service of beautiful steamers between Montevideo and Salto, stopping in all the ports of the Uruguay and Argentine Republic littoral.

Other steamers start from Montevideo for Paraguay and Matto-Grosso (Brazil.)

The lines of transatlantic steamers establish constant communications between the Republic and European and American ports.

By land, a great many places in the Republic are put in communication by the railways and by the telegraph, established also between Montevideo and Europe, Brazil, the Pacific and Argentine Republic.

Where the railways are not yet established, there is a good and regular service of stage-coaches.

Railways.

There are already seven railway lines in the Republic, the service of which is quite regular and comprehends an extension of 1,567 kilometres.

Some other lines are in way of formation, and for some others the necessary preliminary studies have begun, comprising a new extension of 1,231 kilometres.

The railways already established are:

1st. _The Central Uruguay Railway._ It starts from Montevideo, runs through the whole territory of the Republic, till it reaches the capital of the Department of Rivera, on the very frontier of Brazil, in front of "Santa Ana do Livramento," that is to say, with an extension of 575 kilometres. Besides this, it has also another line of 32 kilometres from "25 de Agosto" to "San Jose."

2d. _The Northeast Uruguay Railway_, between Montevideo and Minas, with an extension of 122 kilometres.

3d. _The "East Extension" Railway_, between Toledo Station, which belongs to the Northeast Uruguay Railway and Nico Perez, with an extension of 206 kilometres.

4th. _The North Railway_, between Montevideo and Santa Lucia, where are established the municipal slaughter houses. This railway furnishes with meat all the Montevideo markets and has an extension of 23 kilometres.

5th. _The Northwest Uruguay Railway_, from Salto to the River Cuareim, through the Department of Artigas, with an extension of 178 kilometres. In "Paso del Correo," where this line stops, begins the Brazilian Uruguayana Line.

6th. _The Midland Uruguay Railway_ joins with the Central Railway in "Paso de los Toros" and with the Northwest Railway in the town of Salto and has its principal station in Paysandu, with an extension of 317 kilometres.

7th. _The North Uruguay Railway_ between Isla Cabellos, which belongs to the Northwest Line and San Eugenio in front of San Juan Bautista (Brazil). It runs through the Department of Artigas and has an extension of 114 kilometres.

River Steamers.

There exist many important navigation companies with beautiful and comfortable steamers for the service of the River Plate, Uruguay and Parana.

Among these companies the English company _Platense_ must be mentioned. With its twenty steamers it represents an important capital. It possesses its own docks and wharfs in this republic and in the Argentine Republic. The principal steamers of the _Platense_ are called: _Venus_, _Eolo_, _Apolo_, _Minerva_, _Olimpo_, _Saturno_, _Cosmos_ and _Helios_, the finest of all, recently constructed. All these steamers have electric light on board. They all go to Buenos Ayres and stop in Martin Garcia, Nueva Palmira, Mercedes, Fray Bentos, Gualeguaychu, Concepcion del Uruguay, Paysandu, Villa Colon, Guaviyu, Concordin, Salto and vice versa.

The steamers of the other companies have more or less the same itinerary.

The movement of goods and passengers is important and has always given good benefits to all the companies.

The journey between Montevideo and Buenos Ayres is of a few hours. The steamers start from Montevideo at 6 p.m. and get to Buenos Ayres, generally, at 4 next morning. The very same day, at 10 a.m. they start again for the ports of the Uruguay; getting to Salto the next day.

Stage Coaches.

In all the departments where railways are not yet established there is a regular service of stage coaches putting the various railway lines in communication and making easier the conveyance of goods and passengers.

Tramways.