-
Chapter III: Transporting Herds from the Interior, the Normal Prices for Cattle for Slaughter and Cattle for Farmers
- Tagus Press at UMass Dartmouth
- Chapter
- Additional Information
204 chapter iii y Transporting Herds from the Interior, the Normal Prices for Cattle for Slaughter and Cattle for Farmers The herds that usually come to Bahia number 100, 150, 200, and 300 head. Of these, almost every week some arrive in Capoame, a place located some distance of eight legoas from the city, where there are pastures and where merchants make their purchases. At some times of the year, there are weeks when herds arrive every day. Those who guide them there are whites, mulattoes, negros, and also Indians, who by this work attempt to make some money. Some guide the cattle by singing in front of the herd, and in this way the cattle follow them. Others follow behind the cattle, prodding them and ensuring they do not leave the trail and keep moving. The stages of their journey are four, five, or six legoas according to the nature of the pastures where they rest. However, if there is no water, they stay on the trail for fifteen or twenty legoas with little rest until they find a place where they can stop. In crossing some rivers, one of those leading the herd places reins on the lead animal , and by swimming indicates where the cattle should cross. He who wants to entrust his herd to someone to take them, for example from Jacobinas to Capoame, which is a journey of fifteen or sixteen or even seventeen days, pays the guide for his work one cruzado for each head in the herd. This pays for the helpers and other guides, and the food for the trip comes from the herd. If by chance the herd numbers two hundred head, the leader receives some additional cruzados if they all arrive at their destination. However, if some run away along the journey, cruzados are subtracted to match the number of missing cattle. The Indians who come from Jacobinas to Capoame are paid between four and five milréis. The man on horseback who leads the herd is paid eight milréis. When the distances are greater, the salaries for all are increased proportionately. Thus, coming to Capoame from the Rio São 205 Transporting Herds from the Interior Francisco and beyond, some who bring herds on their own for others want six or seven tostões per head; more if the distance is greater. A female cow usually sells in Bahia for four or five milréis. A male ox sells for seven or eight milréis. In Jacobinas, a female cow is sold for two and a half or up to three milréis. However, at the cattle ranches in the region of the São Francisco River, where they have a better opportunity to sell cattle for the mines, they sell cattle at their own gate at the same price they are sold in town. Regarding what we have said here about the herds in Bahia, it is more or less the same as with the herds in Pernambuco and Rio de Janeiro. ...