ARGENTINA: RESOURCES AND INDUSTRIES
The chief sources of the wealth of Argentina are familiar to everyone
with any knowledge of world affairs: cattle and agriculture. Stock
raising is said to comprise about 50 per cent of the wealth. According
to the census of 1914 its value of $8,000,000,000, including land,
animals, and machinery, was just about that. The animals were estimated
at 1¹⁄₂ billion, the land and fixed installations at 6 billions. In
stock of various kinds, Argentina is fifth in the world: with 6 per
cent of the total number of cattle, she is third in sheep with 8 per
cent, fourth in horses with 4 per cent, fifth in goats with 4 per cent,
and eighth in pork with 1.2 per cent.
LIVE STOCK
=Cattle.= As to be expected, the live stock industry came first,
requiring less labor. The early development was a natural one, cattle
roaming freely over the plains and multiplying. From these wild herds,
descendants of those brought over by early colonists, one could take
all he wished up to 10,000-12,000 head, or more with permission from
the Governor. But within the last 40 years much blooded stock has been
imported from Europe, and scientific breeding has been practised.
Twenty-five years ago the stock was estimated as worth $200,000,000.
Of great value to the industry was the founding of the Argentina Rural
Society in 1866; further, the discovery of the preservation of meat at
freezing, and the arrangements for the transport of chilled meat. The
numerous Stock Shows greatly contributed to improvements. Beginning at
Palermo, Buenos Aires, in 1858, these have for many years been held
there annually; others at various centres as at Rosario, Bahia Blanca,
Santa Fé, Concordia, etc.
On the pampas all over the country cattle and sheep are raised, though
areas are still open in less favorable or accessible districts. Further
increase especially of cattle will depend to some extent on the
improvement of more pasture lands by the cultivation of alfalfa and
other pasturage. The utility of alfalfa, both as improving the land for
wheat and as food for cattle was early recognized. Its introduction
was a boon to raisers of stock including horses, the alfalfa growing
on brackish lands formerly thought useless, as well as on wheat lands.
On the largest _estancias_ 20,000-50,000 acres are sometimes given to
artificial pasturage chiefly alfalfa. This valuable forage to which
20,000,000 acres are devoted gives 3-4 crops a year, 6-8 tons to the
acre.
A great advance in the quality of the stock naturally followed the
importation between 1901-14 of pedigreed animals, some at fancy
prices: $18,000 for a bull, several horses at $150,000 or more each;
altogether 13,000 cattle, 35,000 sheep, 6000 horses, 3000 pigs, worth
$14,000,000; in one year stock of various kinds worth $1,500,000. Most
of these came from England. Durhams, Shorthorns, are most favored, but
many Herefords are raised, Polled Angus, and other breeds. As dairy
interests are developing, Durhams are preferred as good milkers as well
as good meat. Of the 30,000,000 head of cattle existing before the War
(recent figures are 25,900,000), the largest number was in the Province
of Buenos Aires, about 7,000,000, with Santa Fé and Córdoba following;
millions more are scattered in the Provinces and Territories from the
extreme north almost to the extreme south. The export of live stock to
neighboring countries has in peace times amounted to $9,000,000. In
some districts drought has been a drawback to stock raising, yet it
has been difficult to convince the small farmers of the desirability
of artesian wells. Some persons have thought that as more land is
irrigated for farming the amount of stock would diminish; but Martinez,
the leading authority on such matters, states that 50,000 square
leagues will remain exclusively for breeding. This extent of territory
will support 40,000,000 horned cattle and 200,000,000 sheep, besides
the millions which would be raised in the cultivated districts on the
intensive principle. Patagonia has large regions suited only for stock
raising.
=Sheep= cannot be allowed on the high priced land, ruining the
alfalfa, so they are largely relegated to the outlying districts and
to Patagonia; but some high bred sheep are found on model _estancias_.
In the south the sheep are generally of Falkland and Romney Marsh
origin, crossed with merinos; they are large and fat, weighing about
150 pounds, some over 200. Some proprietors produce fleece of 9 pounds
weight. Thick, short wool is preferred, as frost on long wool prevents
the animals moving and so causes great mortality in winter. In the
north Lincolns are favored. The largest numbers of sheep are in Buenos
Aires, Mesopotamia, San Luis, and Patagonia. During the War wool was in
great demand, and in 1916-17, 350,000 bales were exported, two-thirds
to the United States; in 1917-18, 181,000 tons, one fourth of which was
washed. Diseases are practically unknown, and the increase sometimes
reaches 112 per cent. A mortality of 20 per cent is due to cold
weather. The number of sheep in 1915 was stated as 80,000,000; recent
figures are 43,300,000. Some of the sheep ranches are very large, one
in Santa Cruz having 100,000 acres fenced in; others have 50,000 acres
or more.
=Horses= number about 10,000,000; Argentine racers are of the highest
quality, as might be expected from the importation of high class
blooded stock. Hogs number 3,000,000, goats over 4,000,000.
PACKING HOUSES
The _frigorificos_ are famous; extremely important and prosperous.
British capital was early invested in this industry, both cattle
raising and packing houses. In 1907 American capital began to turn in
this direction. A Swift plant it is said made a profit of 35 per cent
in 1916, one of Wilson with smaller investment, 300 per cent. Some
plants are for canning also; besides there is meat extract, flour,
tongues, soup, dried beef, etc., and by-products such as hides, hoofs,
grease, etc. In 1919, 15 _frigorificos_ were in operation, three in
Buenos Aires, two in La Plata, three in Zarate, two in Santa Cruz,
and one each in Bahia Blanca, General Lopez, Santa Fé, Campana, and
Tierra del Fuego. Of these one belongs to Armour and three to Swift;
the former was expecting a daily capacity of 2500 cattle, 5000 sheep,
and 3000 hogs; others were to increase production. During the War the
demand for meat as we know increased. Normally three-fourths of the
amount exported is frozen beef, with mutton next in quantity; but
in 1917 for war purposes canned meat was nearly half in weight of
the frozen beef. The latter was valued at $77,000,000, the former at
$37,000,000, the total meat export at $137,000,000. Due to millions
spent on pedigreed stock, Argentine meat is of high quality.
In nine months of 1918 the export of stock products, $365,000,000, was
60 per cent of the total. Of meat export, frozen beef was more than
half and canned beef a quarter. Wool both dirty and washed was a large
item, also skins and fat. Cattle exported on the hoof, 143,000 head,
were worth $4,200,000. Butter was a large item and cheese considerable.
From 1908 to 1914 the increase had been in value 116 per cent. In four
months of 1919, 1,000,000 head of cattle were slaughtered, 1,300,000
sheep, and 55,000 hogs; a larger number than in any corresponding
period. The chief purchasers now are England, France, and Italy; but
exports to other countries are likely to develop so that increase in
stock raising is desirable and the prospect excellent. The cultivation
of alfalfa has increased the capacity of different lands 3-25 times. It
is the feeling on the part of some Argentines that the packing house
industry now dominated by foreigners should be rather in the hands of
natives; and it is hoped that by eliminating the excessive profits
of the _frigorificos_, both stock raiser and consumer may receive a
benefit.
AGRICULTURE
Of late years agricultural products in ordinary times have outstripped
stock raising in value, in some years of good crops being practically
double. While regarded as preëminently an agriculture country, hardly
more than one twelfth of the Argentine area is devoted to the industry
although over one-third is arable land, about 250,000,000 acres. Yet
the cultivated land has increased rapidly, being four times as large
in 1916 as in 1872. Thirty-five thousand square miles are annually
offered for sale. The average area of 62,000,000 acres of cultivated
land varies by 2,000,000-3,000,000 from year to year. Of such land
one-third is in the Province of Buenos Aires, one-fourth in Santa Fé,
one-fifth in Córdoba, with Pampa Central, Entre Rios, San Luis, and
other sections following in rapidly diminishing scale. While the area
of wheat and linseed doubled, that of corn quadrupled, and of oats
increased 30-fold; yet wheat is a long leader. The chief products
cultivated are wheat, corn, flax, oats, barley, alfalfa, sugar cane,
and the vine. Others of importance are tobacco, cotton, peanuts,
potatoes, vegetables, _yerba mate_, mandioca, fruits, etc. In 1916 over
2,000,000 tons of wheat, and nearly 3,000,000 of corn were exported
with some linseed, oats, and barley. In 1919-20 there was a decrease
in acreage sown to wheat and corn, but a slight increase in linseed. A
wheat crop of 5,000,000 tons is expected for 1921 with 3,200,000 for
export; of linseed 1,000,000 tons.
=Wheat.= Over 24,000,000 acres are devoted to its culture. Although the
soil is famed for its fertility the average yield is not very high,
about 11 bushels an acre. One writer gives 23 bushels as the average
in Mendoza with one property producing 50 bushels. The climate is
sufficiently agreeable, but in some years the rainfall is inadequate,
and occasionally a visitation of locusts seriously affects the crops,
destroying those in some districts; but the regions are so extensive
that all cannot be affected at the same time.
Extensive farming is beginning to give way to intensive, especially
near the city of Buenos Aires, where land values are now very high.
Argentine authorities state that in general a great improvement in
farming methods is imperative. Hundreds of large estates are owned
by Argentines, while British investments in cattle and agricultural
lands probably amount to $50,000,000. Only 30 per cent of the estates
are cultivated by their owners. Rentals of lease holders are usually
so short and uncertain that they suffer many embarrassments and lack
ambition to install desirable improvements, to plant orchards, etc.;
a situation which must be remedied to attain permanent prosperity.
The Argentine leaders realize that instruction is needed to show the
importance of varied cultivation, of rotation in crops, of including
some stock raising, and on other matters. Better credit arrangements
are suggested and other benefits, one of which has been noted in
connection with the countries farther north, the use of fibre plants to
make their own bags, thus saving a vast outlay for the importation of
such needed articles.
=Linseed= is an important and lucrative production although the fibre
is generally burned. This might be utilized for paper, and better
varieties may be introduced to advantage.
=Cotton=, it is thought, will soon be cultivated on a large scale. Much
progress has been made in the last decade, and nearly 40,000 acres are
now devoted to its culture, most of them in the Chaco, a few less than
5000 in Corrientes, Misiones, and Formosa. Regions in Salta, La Rioja,
Santiago del Estero, Jujuy, Tucumán, and Catamarca are also adapted
to its growth, but especially sections near the Paraná River and its
tributaries, altogether nearly 350,000 square miles. Capital and labor
are wanting, but as little machinery is required, less capital is
needed for this industry than for most others. Most of the region is
favorable for river transport. The cotton raised is of good quality,
classed as Strict good, Middling, or Fully good or Middling; fine and
silky, over an inch in length. Several varieties are cultivated. Land
is about $20 an acre. The production in 1920-21 is expected to be 75
per cent more than in 1919-20 and nearly seven times that of four years
ago. It is hoped that within a few years Argentina will provide cotton
for the great manufacturing nations; also that cotton gins will be
supplied, and factories for developing the by-products, oil, etc., as
also for the cotton itself. Cotton gins already exist in Resistencia
and several colonies, where 2000 tons have been seeded.
=Sugar= is an important production in the north, especially in the
Province of Tucumán, which contains about 85 per cent of the 250,000
acres devoted to sugar in 1913, 9 per cent being in Jujuy. The largest
amount ever produced was in 1914, about 336,000 tons. In 1913 over
3,000,000 tons of cane were ground to produce 275,000 tons of sugar,
an average of 8.8 per cent, in Jujuy a trifle more. Later production
fell, in 1917 to 80,000 tons, but rose in 1919 to 250,000, of which
Tucumán produced 178,000 from 2,500,000 tons of cane. The average yield
is under 12 tons per acre. Java cane has lately been introduced, which
will undoubtedly produce more than double the cane to the acre now
obtained from the native. Much more land is suited to its growth and
the country might be self-sustaining in this line, as it has been one
or two years and also have some to export. Of the 39 sugar mills and
refineries in the country, 27 are in Tucumán, the rest in Santa Fé,
Corrientes, Salta, Jujuy, Chaco, and the Capital. Two are refineries
only, these in Rosario and Buenos Aires; nine refine part of their
production, the rest are sugar mills only. The greatest capacity of the
mills is 417,000 tons, of the refineries 150,400 tons. About 15,000
persons are employed in the industry, at some seasons over 40,000.
Several foreign companies are engaged and several local, which have
paid good dividends. In the entire industry about $100,000,000 is
invested, of which Americans are said to have 10 per cent. The erection
of two sugar beet factories is considered.
=Rice= culture, like that of cotton, has been developed in the last
decade, as yet in few sections although most of the country north of
Buenos Aires has many marshy tracts suitable to its growth. Of 25,000
acres planted in 1918-19 Tucumán had 13,000, Misiones one-fourth as
much, Salta, Jujuy, and elsewhere the remainder. In Tucumán the harvest
is most plentiful, about 1250 pounds to the acre. More than three times
the area should be planted to supply the country, and a superfluity
could be exported.
=Tobacco= has long been cultivated though not largely, 40,000 acres in
1895; but there was a gradual decrease until recently, when production
has been augmented almost to earlier figures. Corrientes, Salta, and
Misiones seem best adapted to its growth. In 1917 over 2,000,000 pounds
were exported worth $500,000. A large and good use for nicotine is for
pastoral and agricultural washes.
=Vineyards.= The climate and soil of Catamarca, Rioja, San Juan,
Mendoza, and Neuquen are excellently adapted for grape culture, and
many varieties flourish of native and European grapes, but the great
rise of freight rates interferes with sending the fruit to the Buenos
Aires market for consumption. As a pound of grapes in Buenos Aires
costs 15 times as much as the fruit grower receives, the fruit has
become a luxury for the rich. The making of wine is therefore the chief
industry of Mendoza, where 1500 _bodegas_ or wine cellars of varying
style and capacity exist, some, models of their kind. Some 15 of these
have cost about $500,000 each, but the more common type numbering 1000
have a value of $50,000-$100,000. An excellent quality of light wine
is made for consumption in the country. The Province of San Juan also
contains extensive vineyards and expensive _bodegas_. At least 3000
establishments are yearly in operation. About 1¹⁄₂ billion pounds of
grapes are used to obtain 500 million litres of wine (a 68 per cent
return) of which 400,000,000 come from Mendoza. A great future for the
industry is expected unless prohibition becomes world wide.
=Fruit= of semi-tropical and temperate zones is increasingly
cultivated, all varieties in the various sections, but in insufficient
quantities. In Chubut apples, pears, plums, cherries, and ordinary
berries of the best quality are raised; but much fruit is imported from
Chile with some from Europe and the United States.
FORESTRY
The development of forestry is slight and the importation of timber for
building and furniture is large; yet the country contains all that is
needed, and by planting under favorable conditions might have much more.
=Quebracho.= In the subtropical country, which is the entire north
aside from the mountains, the most valuable wood is the quebracho, of
two varieties, red and white. The tree takes 90-100 years to reach
maturity, with a height of 80 feet and a diameter of about 2¹⁄₂ feet.
Logs are exported for the extraction of tannin, though tannin is
extracted locally in increasing quantities, and shipped. The wood is
much employed by the railways for sleepers as it does not decay from
standing in water. Lately, owing to shortage of coal much has been
used in locomotives for fuel, and some for manufactories. Formerly
Great Britain was the principal purchaser, but of late the United
States has taken the most. In 1915 over $15,000,000 worth of extract
was exported and $2,500,000 of logs. Quebracho, break-axe, is of course
extremely hard, but there are other hard woods like cedar, and many
varieties of valuable timber.
=Yerba mate= is cultivated in many places, especially in Misiones; the
wild growing trees of the forest furnish a still greater supply of the
leaves. From these a drink is made which outside of the large cities is
in this part of the continent far more popular than tea or coffee.
The northern forests contain several varieties of rubber trees, but
none are exploited. Along the Andes are forests, the principal ones
from Lake Nahuel Huapi south. Those in this region are believed to be
worth $10,000,000,000. The variety of native woods both hard and soft
is large; and trees of other countries have been introduced. Thousands
of eucalyptus trees have been planted on many _estancias_, serving a
useful purpose in many ways, beside being an ornament on the level
plain.
MINING
In the description of the Provinces, mention has been made of the
minerals existing in various localities, but up to the present time
the working of these has been slight. Tungsten, gold, copper, wolfram,
borax, and petroleum have received the most attention, but few are
those who have realized any considerable profits. Within ten years the
exports have amounted to hardly more than $3,000,000.
=Gold= is mined in small quantities in various places; in southern
Patagonia it is gathered from the coast sands after a heavy sea
storm. In Neuquen and Catamarca are workings of fair size. The copper
deposits of the Andes are difficult of access but may be developed
later. Silver was mined formerly, but the ore was of moderate grade and
the work was discontinued. A reverberatory smelter has recently been
installed for the mines in Rioja.
=Coal= deposits exist in Mendoza, San Juan, Neuquen, Chubut, and Tierra
del Fuego. The coal is not very good but will help in view of the
shortage and high prices. Work is being done in San Juan and Mendoza.
It is proposed to open mines among large deposits in Chubut, though the
coal will have to be carried 180 miles to a railway.
The =tungsten= industry is active; 900 tons have been mined in one
year, about one-seventh of the world production. Exploitation of
marble, wolfram, and mica in Córdoba and San Luis is showing good
results.
=Manganese= is exported in increasing quantity chiefly from the desert
section of Santiago del Estero.
Large =saline= deposits exist, some in basins with no outlet, in the
central Provinces, some of volcanic type on the Puna of Atacama, others
near the ocean not far from Bahia Blanca. Some of them have been
exploited. Importation of salt has diminished and home production is
expected shortly to suffice for local needs.
=Petroleum= is now exciting the greatest interest. Oil is known to
exist in four regions with others reported, but only one has been
thoroughly tested, that at Comodoro Rivadavia. Borings carried on here
by the Government struck oil at a depth of about 1800 feet in 1907.
In 1910, 12,000 acres were reserved for Government exploitation which
has since been carried on. The place is near the coast about 850 miles
south of Buenos Aires. Development has been rather slow, but in 1916,
25 wells had been sunk and 21 were in active production of about 14
tons each per day. There were four steel tanks and other storage space,
in all about 26,000 cubic meters, one such of this oil equalling .93
metric ton. In 1917, 36 wells were in production and 19 being bored.
In 1918 about 1,250,000 barrels were produced. Tank steamers are
provided, and storage tanks in Buenos Aires. An oil tank is begun in
Rosario. Others are to be constructed in Buenos Aires, Bahia Blanca,
Puerto Militar, Santa Fé, and Mar del Plata. The oil is heavy with an
asphalt base; distilled, it yields 1.5-3.5 per cent of naphtha and
gasoline, 15-19 per cent of illuminating oils, and 77-85 per cent of
lubricating oils, fuel, and coke. Heavier than the better grades of
United States oil, it has been used almost entirely as fuel, though it
is said that it will distil readily. This will undoubtedly be its chief
usefulness, to serve instead of coal. It is employed by a number of
factories. A new Government well, 1921, was producing 34,000 barrels
a day, and prospects are of the best. Millions have been appropriated
for tank steamers, machinery, and for intensive development of the oil
fields. The price rose from about $10 a ton in 1916 to $40 in December,
1917. Government control will probably continue, especially because the
oil is likely to be used by the navy.
A few private companies are operating outside the restricted area,
using 12-inch tubes, while the Government has used smaller. One Company
with a capital of $2,000,000 has with other equipment 4.3 miles of
railway connecting with the Government railway to the port, also two
miles of pipe line. Many of the _frigorificos_ use oil, mostly Mexican.
The West India Oil Company imports from the United States or Mexico,
mainly for refining.
The other fields are the Salta-Jujuy, the Cacheuta, a few miles south
of Mendoza, and the Mendoza-Neuquen field, 700 miles southwest of
Buenos Aires. In these fields the oil has a paraffine base, a sample
from Jujuy showing 5 per cent of light oil, 30 per cent of kerosene,
and 52 of lubricating oil; a grade equal to that of Pennsylvania or
Ohio. One such field in Neuquen justifying immediate development is
favorably located 824 miles from Buenos Aires near the Ferrocarril del
Sud, which will provide special cars and tariff, so that speedy results
are hoped for.
INDUSTRIES INCLUDING MANUFACTURES
While Argentina is primarily an agricultural and pastoral country and
is likely so to continue, a fair amount of capital is invested in
manufacturing and in other commercial projects, some of the capital
European. The largest sum is invested in Light and Power Companies;
for all cities of any size have electric lighting and many, electric
traction. About $128,000,000 have been thus invested; in packing
houses 40 millions, flour mills 7; in sugar refineries 50, wine making
78, foundries and metal works 25, dairies, etc., 43, tannin extract,
etc., 33, lithographing and printing 12, breweries 14, construction
companies 11, these all millions. Other companies with investments of
5-10 millions are shoes, saw mills, jute and cotton sacks, carpentry,
painting and horse-shoeing together; liquors, tanneries, cotton and
woolen mills, furniture, trunks and tapestries, leather goods, brick
kilns, clothing, wagons and carriages, ice and aërated waters, ore
smelting, grain elevators; many more with investment of 1-5 millions,
besides a total of 47 million in still smaller companies.
Of other lines, in 1916 there were 71 telephone companies, capital
$15,000,000; 143 banks, capital about $500,000,000, employing 10,000
persons; 85 insurance companies. The companies of all kinds generally
are on a sound and paying basis, in spite of high cost of fuel and
power. The two leading department stores in Buenos Aires, equal to our
best in character, are both British owned; there are many other shops
of every kind of the highest class.
The tramways and subway of Buenos Aires are noteworthy. The tramway
system has been called the best in the world. There are 500 miles of
lines, carrying about 400,000,000 passengers yearly. Packing like
cattle is not allowed, the number of persons per car being strictly
limited. The subway 8.7 miles long carries 2,500,000 with a splendid
system and fine service including one for freight. Extensions were
postponed on account of the War. The water supply, taken from the
river, and the drainage system are of the highest character. A revenue
of $7,000,000 is received by the Government.
=Dairy Products.= The dairy industry is of quite recent development;
butter formerly imported in quantity is now becoming an article of
export. From 1914 to 1918 the production of cheese increased 277 per
cent, of butter 162 per cent. Three thousand existing creameries, most
of which are in the Provinces near the Capital, in 1918 made 50,000,000
pounds of butter, 40 million of cheese, and 15 of casein. More than
half the butter and some cheese was exported.
The growth of other industries has caused a great falling off in many
imports; of preserves 62 per cent, of ham 96, preserved vegetables 87,
beer 98, cider 55, common wine 85. Other things as chocolate, macaroni,
fruit crackers, shoes, and cloth have decreased 50 per cent. Of fideos
enough is produced for home use, and to export in 1918 over 2,000,000
pounds.
=Furniture.= The construction of furniture has attained large
proportions, a great part of what is sold in the country being made
in Buenos Aires though often bearing foreign names. Wood is imported,
even $25,000,000 worth in one year, while the finest woods grow in the
country. Of 305 saw mills, 134, the most important, are in the City and
Province of Buenos Aires far from the forests. The small mills near the
woods merely chop off the branches for transport or prepare firewood.
Cut wood from Buenos Aires is returned to Misiones and Corrientes for
construction, a terrible waste. A change has begun; the mills near the
forests are being enlarged and equipped with machinery, so an evolution
of the industry is under way.
=Paper.= Eight paper factories with capital of $8,000,000 employing
1500 persons produce 40,000,000 pounds of paper, 28,000,000 for
packing, the rest for newspapers, books, and other things. A great
quantity is still imported, formerly from Germany, lately much from
the United States. The paper is made of rags, shreds of paper, and
pasteboard, the consumption of pulp being small, hardly 200,000 pounds.
One factory at Barranqueras, on the Paraná River in the Chaco, employs
a kind of bog grass to make three tons of straw board a day.
=Flour.= The flour mills are of great importance, supplying in 1919,
850,000 tons of flour for home use and some for export. In 1918,
176,445 tons were exported. With fewer mills than formerly, the 400
existing are more productive. The 79 in Buenos Aires, 47 in Santa Fé,
44 in Entre Rios, and 26 in Córdoba produce 95 per cent of the total.
Sixty-one per cent of the mills are Argentine owned. One hundred and
fifty two are steam mills, 156 hydraulic. They have 25,000-30,000 horse
power and employ 10,000 persons. About $34,000,000 are invested in the
industry while the production is $100,000,000. However the farmers have
trouble, as the fee for hauling grain has increased 60 per cent, and
cartage 25 miles to a station is as much as the freight from Buenos
Aires to New York. A flour mill in Mendoza and in other western cities
of the wheat belt would undoubtedly pay handsomely, saving expensive
transport. A new flour mill at La Plata to cost $500,000 is to turn out
a quantity sufficient to fill 1000 bags a day.
=Beer= is made in 25 factories for the consumption of the entire
country, a quantity of 80,000,000 litres worth $12,000,000. To produce
the 7000 horse power needed, thousands of tons of coal, wood, and
petroleum are consumed.
=Other Manufactures.= Factories making shoes, said to be of the best
quality, underwear, umbrellas, acids, perfume, and many other articles
are found. Vegetable oils are extracted from peanuts, linseed, rape,
cotton seed, and other articles, in establishments in Buenos Aires and
Santa Fé.
Altogether there are about 50,000 industrial establishments with a
capital of $800,000,000 using 678,000 horse power, employing 500,000
persons, consuming nearly $500,000,000 worth of material, and
producing nearly $1,000,000,000 worth of goods. About half of these are
extractive or manufacturing. One-third belong to the Argentines who
supply 18.67 per cent of the capital.
=Developing Industries.= The Government is interested in the
establishment of other factories and construction work; a cement
factory in Buenos Aires to make 300,000 tons per annum is considered,
the Government now using 700,000 tons a year. Ship building is
encouraged; a steel ship of 1250 tons was launched at Riachuelo;
yards are to be constructed at the port of Carmen de Patagones on the
Rio Negro by an Argentine company with capital of 50,000,000 pesos.
Some armored cement oil-tanks of 6000 tons capacity are to be made
for Comodoro Rivadavia, and a depot for petroleum and naphtha at the
port of Mar del Plata. Also for the former, port works, a breakwater,
a mole for loading, and houses for workmen at a cost of 17,000,000
pesos. Sanitary works for 16 towns at a cost of 9,800,000 pesos are
provided for, 22,000,000 pesos are to be spent in three years for
machinery and tank steamers to develop the Government oil wells, the
exploitation of which will cost 45,000,000 pesos; present production is
yet insufficient.
A Spanish Argentine Corporation with a capital of $10,000,000 is to
build two large _frigorificos_ at Buenos Aires and Santa Fé, with
steamers to transport beef to Spain. Another _frigorifico_ is designed
for Puerto Deseado in the south to coöperate with local ranchmen.
The lack of combustibles has for many years been a great and
embarrassing problem, an early solution of which is now hoped for.
Importation of coal from England and of petroleum from the United
States has been carried on at great cost. In five years, 1912-16,
$190,000,000 was spent for such articles, while as they say petroleum
ran into the sea and wood rotted at the railway stations. In 1919 coal
was $26 a ton. The forests of the north have an inexhaustible supply
of wood; the charcoal industry is quite well developed in the Chaco,
north Santa Fé, Tucumán, and Santiago. Many woods are appropriate,
but high freights have impeded their use. A large deposit of coal is
recently reported in Tucumán. A new railway to the firewood region of
Santiago del Estero will save a 100 mile haul. A splendid source of
electric power are the Iguassú Falls with 275 cascades, the greatest
with a height of 213 feet. Investigation shows that 500,000 horse
power is easily available, one half each for Brazil and Argentina.
Ten thousand horse power would be sent 800 miles to Buenos Aires, the
rest used in Misiones, Corrientes, and Entre Rios. From the Salto
Grande Falls on the Uruguay 50,000 horse power might be available for
Argentina and Uruguay each.
INVESTMENTS
The opportunity for investments for persons with capital is evidently
large. A great deal of money is necessary for stock raising, though
less in the far south. Agriculture, especially the raising of cotton,
rice, or tobacco might be attractive; the sugar industry may be
extended. Factories of various kind may be established by experts.
Persons speaking Spanish fluently, capable of acting as foremen
or superintendents of establishments of various kinds, might find
employment. The minerals with the exception of petroleum are less
accessible than in some other countries. An American department store
in Buenos Aires is desirable, and one might succeed in Rosario.