The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-12-06
WESTERN CATTLE.
why Their Value Has Appreciated So the
paAt Five Nenra

ithTS
The advance of 40 per cent. in tie price
OF cattle has caused many inquiries as to
why this increased value should be so great.
| Why, in five years. cattle stock should nd.
vance more than in five years prior to 1878.
TO the casual observer it would appear that
speculation was to great degtee, the
cause OF TINS enhancement of value, and
that large money operators had entered
the field to bull the market; but
| speculation has had little to do in bring.
ing about the present prices of cattle.
True, cheap money and better financial
standing OF western cattlemen have had an
| influence on prices; but that influence has
been small "a compared to other and natu.
raj causes, Our increased market facilities
caused by rapid development OF the west.
ern states, giving them railroad facilities
! undreamed of five years ago, have been n
| potent cause of this advance The ranges
of the west have been brought closer to The
| beei'eating world in the eastern markets.
pralrle-green beef has become an epicurean
dish IN the palaces OF eastern aristocracy.
We count this cause alone as adding 40 per
cent. TO the value Of cattle since 1873,
Another 10 per cent, has been added to
the value OF western cattle by the improved
mode of handling improved ranges and in.
fusion OF better blood The improvement
In the mode in which cattle are handled
now over the old style Of open range, every.
| body-take care.ot.hmSef way of working
! stock, has added 10 per cent. to the intrin
SIC value Oh our cattle by increase of
quality.
! Another 10 per cent. has been added to
the quality of the stock by the improve.
meat of our native ranges. Our grasses
are not only better, but our water facilities
have been greatly improved by arti-
iiclal means, TINS furnishing our cat
tic with grass and water in close
proximity. Under the old style of free
range work cattle had frequently to travel
a good days journey from the water.course
to get good grass, aud then return to Stake
their thirst. Under the present Improved
manner OF handling tanks have been pro.
ylded at convenient points in the ranges, so
That the cattle may eat, drink and lie down
to rest wherever they like.
Inc INFUSION of good blood by the use of
thoroughbred males has added 10 per cent.
to the quality, thus increasing the intrinsic
value OF our cattle stock 10 per cent. over
the old type Of Texas Long. horns.
An increase in population over the num-
per OF cattle raised has caused a demand
ior 20 per cent. more cattle, which can bs
auued TO the other cause of
advance in value. The increased beef
consumption of the country per
capita has been 8 per cent. in the past live
years, which can be put to the credit of cat.
Tic stocks, We would then account for the
advance of the last five years made in eat.
tie stock amounting to il0 per cent, thus:
t,o-o,.., .,.. Per cent
Increased quality of cattle adds '.,,.,,', 40
increase OF population over quantity feat.
uu "uus, Observation-Disclosures, ~
Increased beef consumption adds ,.,,,,,,,. B
Investments owing to improved security
,,o'hl advance. Observation-Disclosures. 40
Fort Worth Live Stock Journal,