Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-04-08
REMARKS.

We embrace this opportunity TO give al
opinion on SO direct and important u qnes-
ton as the above. In the first place: b.
cause we know it to be mentally the query
of many q choice stock breeder throughout
the country, who fears, almost to ask the
question openly; and, in the second place,
10 state a fact, Ur two, Concerning such
stock, itself.
We, Americans, are a nervous. spasIn1dic
and excitable people, in our feelings and ac-
tians, and in nothing more SD than in mat
tiers Of trade, and occupation. Twenty
years ago we were importing Short-Ho:n,
Hereford, and Devon ca.tle-ShsrI-lIorn,
chiefly; Longwooled and South Do yn sheep,
and swine-chiedy Berkshire. Prices were
high, and sales frequent. In four years from
that time, meats OF all kinds had fallen to
ruinOusly low prices, hardly worth the rais-
ing, and improved stock fell down 10 zero
in prices, yet not iE intrinsic value. But
sales were few, and prices nominal. With
better times, and the increase of our ex-
rapidly, until they became too high, in re
ality, and SO they held until within a few
months past, curing which they have rapidly
reccded, although not to what may be termed
q really low figure. Experience, however,
had taught us, during the years OF low prices,
the comparative value Of our domestic, OF
native breeds oil stack by The side of those
crossed with. or having an infusion of the
simproved" blood in their veins. The latter
could be bred, reared, and marketed at Il
profit, while on the other, there was either
no profit at all, or a positive loss. Cense-
quently when meats rose in price, the ma
terial to make those mats the most profit
able to the farmer rose in value, also; and
for the last five or six years. numerous cata-
logues OF foreign cattle, sheep and swine,
have been imported from England, 10 cross
upon our old importations, and to breed
snew-at pIices, zoo, higher than ever were
known before in this country. and also of e
quality in the animals themselves, lar su
perior. Their sales have been rapid, an
they have been widely disseminated through
out the stock-breeding States.
The consequence 0: all this is: the ma;
terial of our meats has been grestiy inr-
proved; our stock breeders are enabled, in
cattle, to get thei- beeves to market, one 10
two, and even three years younger. with
greater weights than tetore-and compara.
lively SO with our mutton an4 pork; and all
at less cost for the same tile in keeping,
than with orr old unimproved stock. With
this experience, therefore, we cannot afford
to fall back, nor to stand still. The stock
breeder the gIazier, aud the feeder for mar.
ket must go on, and still farther improve, il
he means to make his business profitable
Prices, although they have fallen cunsid
erably, have not fallen ruinouSly, nor " ii
they. We have had an alarming none,
panic throughout the land. 1t has beeI
dreadtuily violent; but from that violence i
will be a II the more temporary. The coun
try is full of enterprise, industry, and hope
fulness. We can not afford to be still, AM
must, of necessity 90 on. The world still
reyolves, and California and Australia sui
yield gold, and so blooded stock will vet re
tain its value. Sales m1y be slower for
time, and prices may be somewhat lowe
than they have been for two or three year
past. Our farmers now knoW the worth q
that kink of stock; they must have it con
tinually to build, aud leUsl up their ole stoc
with, or suffer IN the sales of their bee
pork, mutton, and wool. Now, indeed, ar
:he times to buy, for all w5o want to infus
neU blood into their herds and locks.-N
man who has the ability to hald his valuabl
breeding animals, of any kind, should b
alarmed at the talk among the panic-stricke
men-of %"ruin," and CLOVER" We hav
just as much. confidence in the prospect O
the breeders of fine stock as ever, and tn ,
confidence has neither been slight no
kaveriuU