The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-09-10
Cattle. HOG. and sheep i'm iowa.

From recent report OF the productions
Of Iowa in part for 1862, by WIN Duane
Wilson, Secretary of the Iowa Farmers
College, we make the following extracts
His estimate Of grain and other products
we shall find space fer hereafter:
CArrLE.-The Assessors returns for
1862 to the Auditor of State for all the
counties except fourteen, give the aggre
gate of cattle as 565,352. Estimate those
from which no returns have been received,
including but six counties Of any conse-
quence, at the ratio Of those which have
returned, those not reported will be very
near $4,000 making the total 945,352.-
We are satisfied that at least 10 per cent
should be added to this number for cattle
not returned to the assessors, which will
make the total over 700, 900 head AS the
average reported assessed value per head is
fraction over nine dollars, it is fair to pre-.
sumo that at least three fourths Of The
whole are cattle ready for the market, or
mich cows. After deducting 800, 900 as
the probable number Of cows, there are left
225,OOO for the shambles. Deducting
again $4,000 for home consumption, the
probable number for export for 1862, will
be ia, 900. The number OF cattle report
ed in census returns sold in 1858, was
AL Jas, at an aggregate value of $780,,
ls7, being fraction over $40 per head
The increase, therefore, of near 81, 900 is not
too great to set down for 1862, a period Of
between three and four years having inter-
vencd. s...
HoGs.-IIere we have the greatest con-
sumption of corn in the State, and it would
be singular from the abundance Of our
crops, if We had not report Of the increase
of this interesting family. The assessors
report on the first of January last DAT ,4S9
swine, six months of age ana over. 10 ar
rive at the probable number ready for the
market next winter, we must add large
number Of late summer and fall pigs, at
least onc-f fourth as many more for winter
and early spring pigs, and pretty smart
number Of those which were forgotten to be
returned, none Of which are reported by
the assessors. One-half as many more,
therefore, should be added, which will make
the total number ready for market next
fall and winter not less than ], 42l ,233.-
AS from one to two hundred thousand Of
the assessed number have doubtless been
kept over from last year, having sold out
Of the State in every shape, not over 400
900 mead, we cannot safely estimate tire av-
erage weight at less than 200 pounds per
head, net. Deduct 500, 900 for home con-
sumption and breeding, We will have for
expectation, in round numbers, 100000
head. five are wrong in our additions to
the number furnished by the Assessors,
those more intimate with such matters,
readily correct them. We feel satisfied,
however, that We are correct as to the prob
able total number in the State, but may
not be in the number ready for market
The basis being given, any one can make
their own deduction.
SuEEP.-In my report to the Legislature
in February last, Iestimated the number
of sheep in the State at that time to be
100000, passed upon the U. S. census Of
1860. From the assessors returns for all
The counties, except six, the total number
reported is 320, 7O7. For those not report.
ed the Census Of 1860 gives s7,472.-
The increase is at least sufficient to make
the aggregate $4,000 being 5000 above
my estimate. AS lambs under six months
Of age were not assessed, it is fair to pre-
sumo that there were 100000 shorn this
year, which would average fleece Of three
pounds. AS large number Of sheep arr
tally being imported into the State, il
would not be surprising that we should have
near 100000 to clip next year. With hall
a million sheep as basis, it will not be
many years before Iowa will be ranked
among the most prominent wool producing
States in the Union. e - Gr :
HoRsEs.-B BY the assessors returns, and
estimating for the six or eight COUNTIES not
returned We have the number Of 337, OO(
horses assessed: and of mules the number
Of 1000 assessed.