The New York herald., 1879-03-08
THOUSANDS OF CATTLE FAHTENING.
Scenes Of Filth and Repul-
q eivenese-The Strings"
NO DISEASE VISIBLE.
History OF an Alleged Case OF
PleurO-Pneumonia.

CHICAGO March 4, 1879.
The feeding Of beef cattle on distillcry slops in
Chicago and at other points in Illinois is industry
OF no mean proportions. There are, in all prob
ability. but comparatively few who appreciate the
magnitude of this business. or who. when they sit
down to juicy roast or steak. pause to think how
the animal from which it taken may have ac-
qured it's fat tissues. "Stin slop" to the average
reader is associated with swill milk and numberess
foul diseases and decaying tails and sup
purating hoofs and other horrible conditions
not cheerful to contemplate. This may be
true in some localities where the feeding of mich
COWS has been carried on, sanitary regulations,
enforced and the animals permitted to roll in filth;
but it must be conceded that in this section of the
West at least where fattening Is conducted for the
worlds market, there is different condition Of
things observable and vitality essential. There
from eight to twelve thousand head of beef cattle fed
at the dstilleries of Chicago every winter. and
these form important integers in the live stock
markets of the East and England. to which points
they are shipped every spring. The business is
ried on quietly as far the general public not
interested in the condition of the live stock market
is concerned that it knows but comparatively little
regarding the process Of preparing there beef cattle
TOR the block.
'.sr1LL FEEDING" IN CHICAGO.
, The method employed in feeding the cattle which
detained at the various distlcries in and about
Chicago is the same. In general way. that in
vogue elsewhere; but it is extremely doubtful
whether better showing, on tho whole, as to the
condition Of the animals and the varied details OF
essential to carrying the business be presented
IN other city of the Union where this industry is
followed. To be sure it is found here. no doubt is
also manifested by examination of feeding establish
ments elsewhere. that there differing degrees of
cleanliness and effective shelter In the surroundings
of the beasts which have been selected for the long
confinement and fattening process. but, taking all
things into consideration the Chicago sl-fcd cattle
will. beyond question. average up full maximum
percentage of first class condition. The HERALD
representative to whom assigned the duty Of
penetrating to the heart of these foul and
Shiny resorts for cattle. whore oil is Hlth,
no matter how assduous may be the endeavors
Of the workmen to keep them clean: where unsavory
steam arising from moist and manure covered beasts
and long and broad channels of turgid excrement.
made "puddingy"-if the term may be used-by con-
tinuous streams of urine fills the very limited space
between floor and roof and fairly nauseates the
stomach on first inhaling it; where springy boards
lying on pools of filth throw sprays of fetd accumu-
latons on every passer by and where wild and
vicious steers and unruly bulls sptefuly firt their
saturated tails into the face of the unsuspecting
stranger who gazes for the first time upon a scene
of this kind--the HERALD representative,
who has just passed through this ordeal.
finds much that is Of interest in the feeding houses
in Chicago. cattle feeding shed is by no means IN
inviting place in any sense of the word. It is re-
gion Of concentrated. pungent and penetrating
nastiness at BEST oense to delicate olfactories
yet, when We contemplate what it might be and what
the Chicago sheds are must admit that the
latter are, comparatively. rs tidy parlor to
the habitation OF slovenly housekeeper,
where uncleanness prevails and order is not known
A general description of the of feeding
cattle here will tho details of each separate
establishment. for they arc all conducted on the
same general plan. 1t is unnecessary to enter here
into any analysis of the characteristics Of still sops
to describe the method vogue of producing the
same. 1t is the refuse, all must know. Of the
grain yeast and such other ingredients as arc en-
ployed in the manufacture of alcohol, highwines or
whiskey. When the mash has passed through the
last stage of manuacturethat of distillaton-it is
by means of largo pumps. forced into fumes hay
ing sharp grade. and by them run
into vats located short distance from
the distillory buildings These vats hold the
slop which Is intended for feeding to the cattle
housed upon the premises. There are also other
watts In the neighborhood for the reception of slop
sold to private individuals living in the neighbor-
hood and who it as feed for their small punches
THE FEED WATTS AND TROUGH.
Tpe number OF cattle fed on the distillery premises
ts1 sssy % o to the OF
IL but comparatively small amount of slop which
goes to ousiae parties by sale in wagon loads. Tho
watts containing tho sop for feeding the cattle
30 built that there In swift and even flow given to
the soft feed when 1t is sent journey AMI
malls in the Sheds The several watts supplied
with main fumes, which empty the slcp into q gen.
erM distributor usually run through tho centre of
the roof and furnished with lateral box pipes to
the feeding trough below at regular in
tervals throughout the various strings" so called
Of cattle waiting for their meal. In one or two es-
Establishments the supply was conducted to the feed
ing troughs by means Of box oonduits ranged along
tho outside Of each row Of sheds. and thence run
into the feeding troughs from end of the build
ing only. The first mentioned plan would seem
TO be preferable. 1t supplies the feed more evenly
and prevents cattle impeding its "Js flow
while Others arc ,,I impat.ently awaiting their
asreen Ins wda and ss fDs are about
from side of tho building to the other. and when
the sop is let in. arc ned perhaps two-thirds full
from the floor beneath the feeding trough to the
root placed stanchions, and TO these the beasts
than foot In lcngth. caught into large ring that
encirclcs the stanchion and has free play up and
down. This chain is fastened to another encrcling
the neck. and which Is provided with thick leather
pad Mt the point where rests upon the top of the
neck SO as to prevent chatting or soreness Asa gem
eral thing the cattle are fastened to tho right but in
many Instances IL IL found necessary 10 astcn thom
right and left account or their vicious natures
JAMMED TOGETHER.
So closely together the cattle ranged that occa
sionally they interfere with another there being
no partitions STALLS and IL Is not infrequcnty the
case that serions damage results from animals get
ting under the fect of their ncighbors Indeed, at
several OF the feeding establishments visited hero in
stances or this kind wero noticed. Tho buildings in
which the cattle arc contained are. as % rule
structed as to width as to permit of the ranging of
about forty head In each ''string' They arc
nothing more than sheds and. ~ a general thing.
arc 80 hiinsily constructed CHAT their interiors
are about ns much exposed TO the weather
as are thu outer portions. Ia only two the eaal
lshmcits Visited here we're the roofs perfect or tho
sides OF the shells 30 securely battcnca to cxpcl
the wtntry haw The shed might bo likcncd as to
form to row Of salt vat covers or inverted
letters moved close together and boarded up ut
either end, as for instance AAA In most OF the
tablishmcns tho lower edges of the roofs which are
supposed TO be joined. are from inches 10 foo
apart. These spaces are closed up by pitching in
hay, and tho result is that in the majority OF in
stances there are immense gaps through which
the frosty air and peIting snow drifts IN upon tho