The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-09-20
SOMETHING ABOUT BEEF.


"The beef famine prevailing in some
parts OF the East has excited great in.
terest in the West. Beef cattle of all
kinds have gone up 50 to SO per head,
although the stock raisers say they see
no good reason for such a rise The
beef famine is merely a panic, and will
soon be over, but it is warning Of
what really may occur if we do not take
pains TO raise more beef. Three years
ago the writer tried by series of arti.
cles in Wilkes Spirit, to awaken some
interest in the beef production, and
later wrote and published book by the
Lippincott's on the subject. The
panic of 1882 was predicted and also
beef famine in 1885, unless more cattle
we're raised. It is now too late to
avoid the panic, for it is upon us, but
we may still save ourselves from a real
famine by active measures in the pro-
duction OF beef. 1t is my opinion that
We have been in beef famine for the
last ten years, though we did not know
it. A four-year. old steer can be raised
on the plains for 81, and the meat of
the animal ought not to command in
any part of the United States over ten
cents per pound dressed. That cat
tie raiser should make twenty, thirty,
forty, and even fifty per cent. per an
mum profit on the money he has in
vested in cattle is outrageous, but he
will yet make still more than that if
more people do not go into stock rails
ing as business.
STATISTICS OF CATTLE.
"a careful examination of the statis-
tics of cattle production in the United
States will show that the increase Of
cattle has not kept apace with the in
crease of population, and the only won
der is that beef is as cheap as it is. In
1910 the average number of cattle in
america to every 100 persons was less
than 100 head, and in 1850 only about
rs head to 100 persons. In 1860 the
States and Territories had the following
ratio: Alabama, 81 head; Arkansas,
1875; California, 387; Connecticut, 4S;
Delaware. 81; Florida. 274; Georgia,
50; Illinois, 81; Indiana, 81; Iowa, 70;
Maine, SO; Maryland. 81; Massachusetts,,
%; Michigan, III; Minnesota, 6S; Miss
issippi, 81; Missouri, 98; New Hamp-
shire, 81; New Jersey, 81; New York,
30; North Carolina, SO; Ohio. 20; Ore
Ron, 292; Pennsylvania, 4S: Rhode
Island, %; South Carolina, 70; Tenn
essee, 68; Texas, $40; Vermont, 115;
VIRGINIA, 65; Wisconsin, 66; District of
Columbia, 1; Dakota, 80; Nebraska,
100; New Mexico, 10S; Utah, 100;
Washington Territory, 259. Since 1860
four States and Territories have in
creased their stock, and five have stood
still, and thirty have decreased, while
the population has steadily increased.
ga good many cattle companies have
been formed of late years, and, so far
as know, all are doing we'll. We have
several here in Montana, and they are
able to declare an annual dividend of
twenty five per cent, besides reserving
handsome surplus for increasing the
herds. 1t is remarkable fact that
there is more English capital at present
invested in cattle growing in the Uni.
ted States than American money. This
year the Englishmen are reaping a rich
reward for their enterprise, and are
selling American beef at six cents per
pound, live weight, which cost them
less than two cents to raise. There is
really no immediate occasion for alarm
about cattle famine, as cattle are not
yet so scarce as TO create any great
stress in the meat market. But the
spectators have got held of the fact that
there are too few cattle in America for
the population, and they are using it to
I'LL their pockets. We must have more
cattle, more cattle raiseIs and more cap
ital with which to raise cattle.
A LUCRATIVE BUSINESS.
"For the next ten years believe cat
tie raising will be one of the most lu
crative callings in the United States
and those who have the good fortune tC
be able to engage in it will rapidly
grow rich. The best way is to associate
capital in large numbers. 1t costs nc
more to take care of three Thousand
steers than it does one thousand, an6
profits are more than three times al
large. II starting it is simply ques
tion of money to buy cows and bulls fol
stock purposes. In 1910 there wer,
1887, 900 milch COWS in the United
States; in 1850 there were 6,385, ,O93
in 1860 1927, 1853; in 1870 1000, 900
and in 1870 15,000,O0O and in 1885,
100000, There cannot now be lesl
than 100000 cows in America, anc
ohOS0, IA properly udnuleuB Will bOOl
stock the country with sufficient bee
to bring the price within the reach o
the poorest man and his family. TIL,
first step is to stop killing femal,
calves. Every female calf should b,
saved. The Western stock men hav,
begun this, and already it is almost i'm
possible for butchers to purchas,
calves for veal. In the West it is no
so difficult 10 raise cattle for beef as il
the East. The cattle run out oil the
winter long, and no shelter or food il
required for them except that which
nature provides. Every year the stool
men start the story East for the benef
of the ''tenderfeet" that the stock bust
ness is overdone, and the good range
all taken. This is done to prevent new
men from going into the business. Tn,
stock men know they have a gooC
4 IL, o. -. q