The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-01-15
The Domestic Cattle Trade of 1880.

We reproduce from BrddStreet as Of
great interest. especially to our readers IN
the Piedmont and mountain regions OF the
state. the following article on the domestic
cat lie trade OF the past year.
The cattle trade OF 1880 was larger in
volume, and was more profitable to farmers,
droyers, and shippers than that OF 1879.
To the ranchmen of Texas and the South
w,s the operations OF the season were more
satisfactory as 10 profits than any year since
1877. At all the eastern cattle markets the
receinis were heavier than for 1879 and at
all the centres OF trade in the West the
transactions in cattle were heavier than ever
before.
The number OF cattle in the country on the
1st OF January, 1880, varied little from the
number reported at the same date in 1879
There had been in the great caltle-produc-
ing States no contagious diseases OF seri-
Gus character. and the year opened with
cattle IN better condition than usual. they
having received better care than I'm previous
wears. aud the season on the plains and IN
ine eraz,ng regions OF the Southwest having
been ia their favor.
In the eastern States the increased export
trade and a more discriminating home de-
fer class OF cattle, and prices ranged higher
than in 1879. Philadelphia took 2lS.GOC
head of cattle against 1889 in 1879, ana
Boston, New York, and Baltimore report an
increase of receipts for consumption indie
peudent of the heavy receipts for export.
! There was unusual activity in the trade in
Young dairy cattle, the West calling for an
unusual number Of calves and cows from
New York aud PennSy lyania. The receipts
at Boston, Philadelphia and New YORK
came largely from the western states, and
the character of the stock is considered under
| that head. The receipts al Baltimore came
| largely from the southern States, although
| st. Louis forwarded 1902 head ana Chi
cago D. 1872. Virginia sent 1852 head, Ohio
2S.5l5. West Virginia 21,667, Maryland
S.2l9 PENNSYLVANIA 1852 There was less
excitement 10 regard to bloOded stock in
the East than in the West and South, but in
all sections Increased interest was shown III
fat cattle aud in cias seS that brought fancy
prices in the market. During the latter half
OF the wear the uncasiness as 10 pieurO-
pneumonia became a slightly. disturbing in
fuencc, and 10 the closing months lessened
the shipments of young cattle westward.
| In the West the character and volume OF
| the cattle trade is shown in the receipts and
| Transactions at the principal points forward
| ing cattle 10 the eastern cities and the sea-
board. The receipts at Chicago were 1,3S2,-
! 34G head: 81. Louis, 424,720; Kansas City,
IA 474; Peoria, ~ 935; ST. Paul, 10000
OF the !, 382, 1897 cattle received at Chicago,
1913. 207 came over the Chicago, Rock Island
and Pacific railroad, l4S 996 over the Hi
nois Central. 425.37i over the Chicago, Bur-
hngton and Quincy, 209,277 over the Chi
| Ma "A Spp fofp and TIA T1R over
the Chicago and Alton. This statement
indicates In u general way the produ-
eng capacity OF the sections furnishing the
supply for the year. The receipts over the
Rack Isend may be said 10 come from
northern Illinois, norihern Iowa, Nebraska.
| Wyoming. Idaho, Montana, Utah, and
northern Colorado; the Illinois Central laps
! southern and central Illinois, and, through
lis Iron Mountain connections, southern
Missouri, Arkansas. and Texas; the Bur-
liugton aud Quincy commands larger
share than the ether roads OF the cattle trade
OF Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Texas, In
dian Territory, ADD southern Iowa and Ne.
braska, and the Northwestern commands
the cattle trade OF Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Dakota, and draws supplies as well from
northern Iowa and Illinois.
The wild grazing limits 10 Nebraska have
been gradually narrowed by the rapid set
tlemeDt Of the State, but the supply for ship
ment has improved 10 quantity, and certain
~ 10 quality. The shipments from Wyo-
ming amount to about 1000 carloads, and
these, as we'll as those from Montana, have
Included, as rule, cattle grading higher
than those forwarded In previous years.
The supply Of iow-grade cattle from
Texas and the Southwest generally was less
than 10 1879, while the supply OF the better
grades was about the same. Cattle from
Texas and the plains Melted their owners
about 81 per head more than In 1870. Cattle
on the plains were wiptered IN good shape,
but the dry weather Ia the spring so dam.
aged the pastures rs to delay shipments
until Il was difficult TO secure adequate
transportation. This was TO the disad-
vantage OF Chicago, but was TO the adynn.
vantage Of intermediate points On the seye.