The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-05

years embraced in the above exhibit that the value was
below remuneraiive point, lS4950 when the ave
eight years past might expect surplus in S5S59,
Overwhelmingly large because hogs, supposng no extra
ordinary circumstances TO have existed would aPpean
than thing else thai farmers could have prepared Tor
markel.
But Notwithstanding eight years of full prices for hogs
and four five years OF iar crops average,
We are entering upon the season, with hogs
The cro % will NO, much exceed il t reaches he figures
reported for 1S57-5S High prices and short crop
views however at the opening OF the season. are not
10 be taken as conclusive evidence Of deficient supplies
II mas not often ever occurred in the history Of the
pork trade this city that deficiency of supplies
figured up the beginning OF each season. II specu
atons Of this character proved correct the decien
ces that annually predicted would have reduced the
pork trade TO mere cypher several years ago. rares
engaged in the business usually have their judgment
warped about this period Of the year by contracts &c.
and their views influenced good deal by their peck
cts that would listen to both sides an abundance
short and long crop ideas would be obtained But the
existence Of the state Of things that now prevail IN tins
respect does not furnish reliable data upon when 10 base
operations for the future.
1t has been generally found that high prices for hogs,
with lair supply Of corn, secured fn crops OF .e LOT
mer, no matter what the showing OF the assessors
ngnres' Nc, had been The reason 0i ps'n
enough. Hogs are the most productive animals
Of farm stock. there may be very short crop
this year, and yet very long next Give twelve
months notice TO farmers and they will furnish as many
hogs as may be desired provided you will pay well for
them and there is good crop Again, the actual
number Of hogs those States which furnish the surplus
for market is usually about ten millions. The surplus
packed for market at the leading points, therefore, do not
embrace than third Of the actual number in the
pork packing States From this may be seen how easy
II is for farmers when extra inducements offered, in
the shape Of high prices to increase the surplus and they
have rarely failed to do this when the business opened at
tempting figures IL has this year. II is TO be con-
cluded therefore, that prices sustained for sixty
days full proportion Of all the hogs in the West
will be packed.
One important question 10 be considered, then is
How does the number Of hogs in the country compare
with last CROP Looking only at the prices that have
prevailed and drawing our conclusions from TINS basis
should estimate large Increase but for several years
past connteracng influence has operated to check the
production and reduce relatively the number in the coun
Try that the former has not kept with the general
OF population the progress OF agricultural
industry. Millions Of hogs have been swept away by
that extraordinary and mysterious disease known
hog cholera within the last three or four years. which
has not only diminished the number by DEATH but has
also checked the production; for farmers discouraged by
the prevalence of this epidemic have the infected dis
trcs. given less attention than usual 10 this department
OF business. And during the past year the disease has
been fully as fatal as in any previous season II IS
question therefore, understanding the high prices that
have prevailed, and are still current, whether there is
number Of hogs the country now than there
last year II is safe, we think 10 say that the IN
crease any, is but slight But with equal safety may
be concluded that there has been no actual decrease in
numbers--hat there many animals the leading
hog producing States at this time al the correspond
pg period last wear If So how will the packing OF
comparo2 LEI US see Last year, II will
rccoloced the country was At this time IN the MIDST
Of the panic. Money was exceedingly scarce and every
few cash markets for hogs In the West farmers had
the alternative Of packing, themselves, or selling on
credit. In they chose the latter, and
in others the former But in consequence Of this
dific ulty the surplus crop not brought out
large proportion Of IL scattered about through
the hands OF farmers and small dealers, which
was included in the general foctngs and but little OF
this comparatively, sent to market in the shape of
products. This year different Money IS plenty
Business settled and everywhere pork dealers
lively preparing Tor operations On the Western rivers,
particularly, there brisk demand for hogs and at
many points the contracts already made exceed the total
OF last years business At the same places Wherever
there pork trade there IS cash market In addition
fun prices prevail and farmers are in condition 10 a
precie and wall themselves OF these advantages. They
need money. Many Of them In debt. Wheat crops
Short and hogs the most available thing they
have for sale. They wn therefore apt 10 sell many
hogs they isen, depending upon other commodi-
ties domestic consumption yhe inference therefore,
that viii sell close and that the full surplus crop
or hogs win be brought and concentrated at the pack
ing points n reasonable
The views that have thus presented lead us TO anti
cpate increase the hog crop Of 1880 This will be
chiefly realized Indiana Iowa, Illinois Missouri and
Tennessee Ohio and Kentucky will probably bold their
but The packing, reported last year, in
the several States named, was as folows:-
ONO. osetot
hehtueky o9l DIV
INDIANA sSovoo
Illinois OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. ... AIS All
Missouri. G36