=Stock raising= is by far the leading industry, as is evident from the fact that in 1917 nearly 98 per cent of the exports were of stock products. Of the 44 million acres devoted to livestock and agriculture the latter occupies hardly 5 per cent. In 1603, 100 cattle and two herds of horses were brought into the country; the cattle increased so rapidly that at one time they were killed for their hides, as more recently in Paraguay. Since 1860 when Durham bulls were imported and stock breeding began, much advance has been made in quality. Herefords, Devon, a few Polled Angus and others have also been imported; some for dairy purposes, as Swiss and Flemish. In 1917 the cattle numbered about 8,000,000. The best _estancias_ have sheds to house pedigreed stock, they plant trees and have cattle dips. Societies encourage scientific breeding and the Government subsidizes agricultural shows. One _estancia_ of 60,000 acres has 15,000 cattle, 20,000 sheep, some horses, and pays dividends of 16-25 per cent on a capital of £120,000. Another company with 40,000 acres and a capital of £40,000 pays dividends of 14-20 per cent. At least 20,000 acres are devoted to dairy farming; 50,000 pounds of butter are made monthly, and both butter and cheese are exported. The best of apparatus is employed. =Sheep=, imported from Argentina in 1608, flourish to the number of 11,700,000; the varieties of Merino, Lincoln, Romney Marsh are found among others, the English breeds being preferred. =Horses= of good quality are raised, 570,000, both light and heavy, but few in comparison to the cattle. There are 300,000 pigs, a few mules, 16,000, and 12,000 goats. =Meat Packing.= In 1754 the first meat salting plant was established but the true pioneer dates from 1786. Others followed. There are now 13 besides seven factories for preserving meat and two _frigorificos_. The slaughter season is from November to January. The meat for _saladeros_ is separated from the bones, dried 4-6 days in the sun, and then salted. It is arranged in four grades according to fat or lean; the fat meat is sent to Brazil, the lean to Cuba and elsewhere. Of _frigorificos_ the Swifts own one, and exported to Europe in 1915 and 1916, each, over 700,000 frozen quarters of beef and 100,000 chilled; also mutton and lamb. The _Frigorifica Uruguaya_ shipped nearly 44,000,000 pounds of beef to Europe in 1916 and over 2,000,000 pounds of mutton. The total export of animal products shipped in 1916 was worth $73,000,000. A model slaughter house and cold storage plant is in prospect. A new one for wool washing has a capacity of 132,000 pounds daily. Saving in freight cost and immunity from deterioration are thereby attained.