“ Pelotas is the centre of the xarque or carne secca (jerked beef) industry of Rio Grande do Sul. In its outskirts and the surrounding country are an immense number of xarqueadas (slaughter-houses) , with large open yards where the dressed beef, lightly salted, is exposed to the sun and air. There are many factories or packing houses where the byproducts are prepared for market. Pelotas was only a small settlement at the beginning of the 10th century and had no parochial organization until 1812. ”