The New York herald., 1879-02-27
OUR BEEF SUPPLY.


THE WEEKLY SLAUGHTER FOR HOME AND
FOREIGN coNsUMpTIoN-How. DISEASE is DE-
vELopED.
That Texas is of the largest cattle producing
quarters OF the civilized world none who have seen
her almost countless herds deny; not even when
the cattle produce Of Texas shall be compared with the
vast herds that roam the stppes Of Russia or those
that wander the great stations of Australia. stll
boundless as the production of beef may appear to
be in Texas the quality is Indifferent that other
States of the Union. though numerically far inferior.
are. in point Of wealth derived from cattle growing
greatly in advance of Texas Probably the cattle inter-
Of the State OF Illinois represent the largest capital
and the richest derived from this branch of
industry. While other States have certain seasons OF
the year during which their trade in cattle is active
Illinois from the 1st of January to the 31st of De-
ceniber ships from her broad pralies and from her
feeding farms. Not alone Is the feeding
interest closely and diligently attended to in Illinois,
but the rearing of calves is steadily carried Corn
fed Illinois steers always to be found
on the great cattle markets Of the States,
and such herds invariably command the
highest prices and when sold on net weight
obtain the most liberal allowance. Kentucky as u
beef producing region justly lay claim to some
of the very finest and best bred herds that be
found; she might. without fear. challenge the British
Isles and Canada for high bred stock. from whence
are drawn those animals purchased for the purpose
of improving the blood OF the herds of the Western
States and Territories. During the summer months,
when the pastures rich in blue grass the herds
of Kentucky are at large and from the early days
Of August up to the end Of October middle
Of November. should the weather continue mild,
the grass-fed herds of Kentucky arrive
the Eastern markets. Their beef is very whole
some. being light, nutritious and full of juice,
suited for invalids and children The
do not inwardly contain the same proportion of fat
as do those OF beeves fed; still the adipose
matter is generally spread throughout the muscle
and the color and flavor Of Kentucky beef are excel
lent Some few feeders there are in Kentucky who
use corn and who ship off their herds all through
the winter and spring. Ohio a cattle State ranks
next to Kentucky save that she cannot boast OF as
much excellence of blood her sister State enjoys
OHIO AND MISSOURI BEEF
In Ohio where the blue grass fourshes the herds
are pastured; while in other sections of the
State feeding is the rule. Ohio
steers come to market most freely from
the 1st of August to the end Of February The quail
ity is good. sometimes even superior. Where the
blue grass hourishes in Virginia the practice OBJ
served is the in the States before named,
save that less is fed than in Ohio, and that in
the mountain districts the cattle of Virginia are
shipped for the East all through the year. and
prime condition occasionally rather than invariably.
About midwnter Missouri steers are at their
best. At other seasons OF the year the
flesh. Toward the end Of the summer is the
time of the heaviest run OF grass fed Missouri cattle
The quality inferior and the carcasses dress to
slight advantage. The great markets OF New York
city and that at Brighton close to Boston sup
piled from Albany and Phiadelphia the two
nearest points for rest and feed and water for tho
herds arriving from the West. Deposit is great
resting station on the Erie Railway. The Western
markets for East bound herds are East st. Louis
and Chicago, both in Illinois. Cincinnati and Pitts
burg also great cattle points of union.
To these places resort the Eastern ship
as the case may be. the herds they need for
their Eastern trade The great carrying lines of this
Central and the baltimore and Ohio being fed by the
roads that diverge from Kansas City, from East ST.
Louis from Chicago and from Cincinnati.
FATrENING TEXAS CATTLE.
Another feature OF the cattle trade is the fattenng
of cattle on brewers slop. Bulls condemned to die
but in great numbers and with much % profit on the
lean fed steers OF Texas into fat heavy
beeves When the grass withers up on the prairies.
OF Texas the herds must go north in search Of pas
The routine Of the Texan cattle trade is this In
July and August the herds are rounded up, the
calves are branded, and all again let Early
sin April the great droves commence. Carefully laid
cattle trails observed and the herds pasture
as they march. Ellsworth. the line of the Kansas
Pacific Railway, is wonderful place for few weeks
of the year. Eurly in summer it is thronged by
Texan ranchmen and drovers, also with immense
herds OF Texan steers. At this point the herds
shipped. Some changed hands, but in general
sales are effected at Kansas City. From Kansas
City these grass fed Texans DRIFT of into Missouri
and Illinois. there to be part fed and shipped
East in September; and up to the LIST OF January
York, Philadelphia and Boston for what they will
fetch. The hesh OF the grass fed Texan steer is
and hard, the color IL bad and fat IL
Again. other herds from Texas those that constitute
the end OF the run are purchased by feeders. and.
being housed, are fattcned on brewers refuse.
and to be found the markets OF
New York from March to the ena or mid
die OF May. Bulls doomed to execution arrive
the Eastern markets earlier in the year than do
the still fed Texan herds. From Texas, via Ellis
worth, also through Denver, Col pass year by year
countless droves OF Texan cattle These droves old
and young, calves. cows and steers, go to feed In
dians and miners and such like people. forced to
live the skirts Of civilization Rarely, indeed, are
bulls driven from Texas The herds Colorado,
Wyoming and Montana are a rugged. large boned
class. bred from the Texan and native bulls OBJ
the breed improved. aud even already some
bulls OF undoubtsd pedigree are to be seen
west of the great rivers; Eventually Colorado aud
the East will derive its supply OF beef The climate
OF Colorado in two winters renders Texan steer
healthy, that is the beast loses the incpent disease
known Texan fever; loathsome affection that is
to be found in the liver of the otherwise per-
fecty healthy Texan steers. aud sickness that is
highly contagious. much 50 that herds supposed
10 be clean have been known to leave the disease
their trail and serious loss has thus been sustained
among native herds which have passed over pas
tured on the tainted lands.
FOREIGN CONSUMPTION.
The weekly average Of beef cattle sold on the open
market tor the year ending December 81. 1879.
y.625 head About 5000 head supplies weekly for the
home trade. In this is included New York city. |
brooklyn. Jersey City. Newark. Paterson. Staten |
Island and many minor places lying adjacent This |
gives an average OF close 1000 head weekly |
mailds the most choice herds that reach the Atlantic
scaboar and has been carried through all seasons
the year both by trade in dressed beef and by the
shipment OF live cattle. The recent order OF the |
priyy Council which now hampers trade in American
cattle Is tho result OF too much haste the part
American shippers. The fear of contagion Is proper
and should have been guarded against Had the
best been observed for tho general bcncht OF
tho trade, shipments Of live cattle should have
been msdo after the st of October until the LIST of
April. A fat beast taken from open cattle yard
and shut below matches is far likely TO
develop disease than were he exposed 10 the most
severe weather. The hot air between decks
causes fevcrishness and congestion of some
other of the inner organs. and plueropneumonia
frequently developed albeit. the beast sound
and healthy when placed board. On the other |