England's financial stake in Uruguay--British capital invested in the Republic--Its monetary importance compared with that of other South American nations-- General commercial development of the country--A satisfactory outlook--Progress of grazing and agriculture--Marked increase in commerce--Uruguay's exports--Cured meat and frozen carcasses--Diminution of the former trade, increase of the latter--Reasons for the transformation of industry--An outcome of Brazilian protection--The breeding of fine cattle for the European markets--Present situation of the world's meat market--The British Isles as importers of meat--The position in the United States--A change from the rôle of exporter to that of importer--The increase in River Plate shipments--Closeness of touch between South American and English markets--Probable admission of foreign meat into European countries--Intervention of the United States Beef Trust--Purchase of _Frigorificos_--Possible effects of a monopoly upon the producers--South American views on the subject--Favourable general position of the River Plate--The balance of power in beef--Extract of meat-- The Lemco and Oxo Company--Ramifications of the enterprise--The town of Fray Bentos--Agriculture-- Wheat--Maize--Barley. CHAPTER XXV INDUSTRIES AND NATURAL WEALTH (_continued_) 286 Minerals--Past obstacles to the proper working of mines--Gold--Auriferous prospects--Situation of the goldfields of Uruguay--Past and present workings of the mines--Influence of politics on labour--The Corrales mine--Manganese--Districts in which iron ore is met with--Mineral centres--Minas--Maldonado--Silver-- Copper--Marble--Gypsum--Slate--Sulphur--Asbestos--Precious stones--Diamonds and rubies--Jasper--Agate--The amethyst and topaz--The water-stone--A peculiarity of Uruguay-- Viticulture--Date of the introduction of the vine-- Vicissitudes at the start--Consequent rapid progress-- Vineyard area of the present day--The introduction of suitable plants--Countries of origin--Production of grapes and wine--Departments most suitable to the industry--The seal-fisheries--Originally carried on by the Indians--Habits of the seals--Development of the industry--Government grants--Conditions and concessions--Number of skins obtained since 1873-- Islands inhabited by the seals--Method of killing and curing--Waste of seal life--Suggestions for the improvement of the industry--Scientific measures necessary--A diplomatic incident in connection with the seal-fisheries. CHAPTER XXVI COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMERCE 296