Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-10-13
The Cattle Trade.

Cattle shipped tc Europe from Amer-
lean ports are taken on and under deck
In stalls measuring feet inches on
vessels sailing from New York, and 2
feet 6 inches on those from all other
ports of the United Safes. These
stalls are built under the supervision
of an insurance inspector. The rate OF
freight this season has ranged from a
las. to e5 los. head, in advance. This
rate includes covered room for neces-
sary fodder and passage to destination
and lack for one attendant to every
thirty animals. During the summer
shippers prefer to ship on deck, as the
cattle get more air and come out fresh
er at the end of the voyage. On deck
the steamers carry between $50 and 175
animals, and under deck about 223
head. Drinking water is condensed
by steam process on board for their
use, the ocean itself proving a never
failing source Of supply. The rates
are exacted in advance, as cattle are
considered not so safe risk as wheat
and other commodities. The cattle ara
generally put on the steamer in the
stream, after il has left the dock, an
old ferry-boat usually being used for
the purpose.
Sheep and pigs are slowed IN stalls
on deck where there is not room enough
for the cattle. Sometimes in the early
spring, when the sea is liable to sudden
disturbances, some of the cattle get
overheard, and then a very lively time
ensues in getting them out. The cattle
are hoisted on board usually and lower
ed, two at time, by a winch into the
hold. The allowance of water is from
six to ten gallons day TO each bull
lock. The amount of fodder averages
one ton to each animal. The rates of
insurance apparently vary. Some
shippers give ii as from 3 per cent. in
summer to 10 per cent. in winter. There
is more risk TO the cattle from perils OF
the sea in the latter season, as a heavy
storm may make it Necessary to tighten
the ship by throwing the entire deck
load of cattle overheard. shipments
in winter are not very heavy, although
last year handsome profit was realized
on a selected lot OF extra fine cattle
sent to supply the English with their
Christmas roast beef. The New York
shippers allow more space TO the cattle
than shippers at other ports. The
carrying capacity of the vessels, of
course, varies: but the average, as
given by an Old skipper, may be put
safely at 200 head at shipment, TAX
ing large and small vessels into account.
On some of the larger steamers the
number carried has reached 500, and
one Boston steamer has carried as many
as s4l head. The largest shipment from
New York by one steamer was $50
head.
"Recent shippers have all lost
money" said veteran shipper.
"Freights have been reduced by from
fl to fl 10s., or, in American currency
from s. to $3.50 head. The rate has
been from f3 upward. The trade this
summer has been fairly good on ac-
count of the short crops in England.
Shipments have been three or four
times as large as they were last year.
Now prices are low, and will go still
lower, as the people in Europe are now
getting splendid loot and grass crop,
and cattle are coming in from Ireland
and Schleswig-Holestein, the latter
being among the best grazing cattle.
Great Britain draws from Spain Also"
"Are any of the American cattle
cold for breeding or farm purposes?"
"No, they are not allowed to 60 out
side the slaughtering depot, and must
be killed within seven days. Ii they
could be transported to the interior
they would bring from 81 to S. a head
more. They have no ice business there
worth speaking of, and 1t 10 not feasible
70 send dressed meat very far, Or to