The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1917-01-26

~ EHIND eight galloping mules
- drawing strong old coach of
ID the style of modified forty
Miner" we sailed forth from a
little Argentine settlement on jour-
ney that covered many days in the
great outdoors of the far southland.
Our mules were ridden by three
young natives of the cowboy type who
delighted in fast and reckless speed,
while a fourth man sat on the drivers
seat, one man to each pair of steeds,
so it worked out. In addition to food
for man and beast, the old coach car
ried only four passengers, writes Will
liam A. Reid in Los Angeles Times.
The time was November; and in Ar
gentina the harvest days were drawing
near, for be it remembered that sea-
sons in the far South are reversed.
AS the day advanced and we became
a mere speck moving across leagues
and leagues-not acres-of pampa land
the novelty of the journey gave place
to serious thought. The farther we
advanced the more lonely the whole
country appeared, for we were not
within the zone of waving fields of
grain or the fenced-in estancia (farm).
Around us stretched the open country
and the far-away horizon closed the
view; here and there gently rolling
lands merged into level tracts that APP
peared to have no limit; the plains bore
Il brownish-gr color, occasionally a
windmill came into view.
Wherever the windmill stands one
may expect to see well-trodden earth,
every vestige of grass. Even the dumb
driven beasts" seem to learn by intui-
ton the location of this thirst-Quench-
ing spot, which to plainsman or animal
is ever and always a welcome oasis.
Near by this popular retreat the
gaucho has his humble abode, and
days, weeks or possibly months may
pass with the sight of a few new
faces; still he rides DER the pampa
and watches the grazing herds with
faithfulness not always appreciated
by the landed proprietor, who lives
in princely style miles away.
The custom of the actual owner of
the estate spending a great part of the
time away from home opens numerous
opportunities for managers or superin-
tendentS on the estancia, and some of
these executives have Il vast amount
of responsibility resting upon their
shoulders.
On an Estancia.
"QuiIlalauquen," an average es-
tancia, is located on the Southern rail
way within eight hours train time of
Buenos Aires. The area embraces
over 100000 acres; the stock consists
of 100000 sheep, 1900 cattle, 1900
horses, 800 mich cows, and thousands
of swine. The personnel which keeps
the wheels of this large establishment
in good running order includes more
than 500 men, women and children. The
families are scattered over the estate;
and to the head of each housesold is
delegated certain duties. For instance,
the milking of 500 cows twice daily is
an enormous task. BY systematic APP
portionment of the herd over the place,
the actual number at any given point
is not considered large. The enormous
quantities of milk obtained are brought
to q common point and certain portions
dispatched daily to Buenos Aires.
A very busy season on the stock
farm comes yearly at the end of cold
weather, or about the first of Novem-
Der. More than 100000 sheep must
be sheared. So Systematically is this
work done that from 5000 to 1000
animals are relieved of their wool each
day.
Presiding over this estancia is
young man, native of Argentina,
hardly out of his thirties. He
and his wife are cultured and charm
ing hosts, and it may be of interest
to know that this young manager and
his wife have visited the United States
and travelled over the country from the
Pacific to the Atlantic. They were
delighted with their experiences and
have many pleasant things to say
about the people they met in the Amer
lean States. At their home overlook
ing many square leagues Of pampa
land, which bears the name of "Quilla-
lauquen," the hands of genuine hos
pitality stand outstretched.
Their Land Not for Sale.
In a southern province Of Argen-
tina 1 met the owner Of great ranch.
l thought his vast estate too large for
one person, and I asked If few hun
dred or few thousand acres could
be bought from him. He smiled, and