Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1862-08-29
CATTLE, HOGS AND SHEEP I'm IOWA.

From recent report of the productions o
Iowa in part for 1862, by VIM Duane viii
son, Secretary Of the Iowa Farmers College
we make the following extracts. His esti
mate of grain and other products we shall
find space for hereafter.
CATTLE.--The Assessors returns for 1862
to tho Auditor of State for all the counties
except fourteen, give the aggregate of cattle
as 065.352. Estimate those from which no
returns have been received, including but
six counties Of any consequence, at the ratio
Of those which have returned those not re-
ported will be very near $4,000 making the
total Gao. 3o2. 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 100000 head. AS
the average reported assessed value per head
is fraction over nine dollars, it is fair to
| presume 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.-
600 for the shambles. Deducting again go
600 for home consumption, the probable
number for export for 1862, will be 175, 900.
The number of cattle reported in census re-
turns sold in 1858, was 141, 145, at an ag-
gregate value Of $2,950,1S7, being a fraction
over $50 per head. The increase, therefore,
OF near 1000 is not too great to set down
for 1862, period of between three and four
years having INTERVIEWED
HoGs.-Here 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 a report of the increase of this
interesting family. The assessors report on
tbp fret of .Iap,,or,- l.. oar 400
months of age and over. To arrive at the
probable number ready for the market next
winter, we must add a large number of late
summer and fall pigs, at least one, fourth as
many more Tor 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
! All ,233. AS from one to two hundred
thousand the assessed number have doubt
less been kept over from last year, having
sold out OF the State in every shape, not
over 400, 600 head, we cannot safely estimate
the average weight at less than 200 pounds
per head, net. Deduct 100000 for heme
consumption and breeding, we will have for
expectation, in round numbers, 900 900 head.
Ii we are wrong in our additions to the num-
Der furnished by the Assessors, those more
intimate with such matters, readily correct
them We feel satisfied, however, that we
arc correct as to the probable 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.
SnEEp.-in my report to the Legislature
in February last, | estimated the humber of
sheep in the State at that time be $40. 900,
based upon the L. S. census of 1860. From
the assessors returns for all the counties,
| except six, the total number reported is 500,
7O7. For those not reported the Census Of
1860 gives 27,4T2. The increase is at least
sufficient to make the aggregate 350, 900 being
10000 ABOVE my estimate. AS lambs I'M
dersIX months Of age We're not assessed, K is
fair to presume that there were $4,000
shorn this year, which would average fleece
Of three pounds. As large numbers of
sheep are daily being imported into the State,
it would not be surprising that we should
have near 100000 to clip next year With
half 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.
HoRsEs.--By the assessors returns, and
estimating for the six or eight counties not
returned we have the number of 237 600
horses assessed; and Of mules the number
Of 5000 assessed.