Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1883-12-24
From McMullcn County.

llLnEN, iENlAS, Dec. IL, 1883.
kdltor Texas Lave Stock Journal
Last Sunday night slow, driyglinp
rain began to fall, which continued
almost without cessation until Thurs.
day morning, when the sun shone on,
Tor q lew hours and then the heavens
again became overspread witt, threat
ening clouds, and from Indications to-
night more rain Is probable. II may
bc pronounced the most thorough
drenching this portion of the country
has received In years past, and, failing
slowly, 1t principally penetrated the
earth and will 90 long way toward
insuring n good spring range. Had
the wind been high and cold, which
was fortunately quite the reverse, 1t
had proven fearful spell of weather
upon stock, but think we may safely
say no losses have been sustained and
will result in much good TO the range.
This evening | notice elm aud back
berry trees putting forth new leaves,
and grass and weeds seem to Toe ON n
regular summer boom. We have had
two or three light frosts, hut not suill-
cient 10 kill OF retard the growth of the
grass, which Is still as green ny spring
time over much of the range.
The fall and winter up 10 this time
has been very favorable and many
stockmen whose herds are thin are in
a lit situation TO fully appreciate this
prOvidential boon. It's happy AS
surance To the cowmnn that every day
the dreaded freeze Ii deferred placesus
that much nearer the oI ening of
spring, the season OF good range and
abundant shekels. Stock are usually
In tolerable condition, but not In ~
good average condition as Is usual here
at this season of the year Taking
everything into consideration, | can
see no particular cause OF alarm; II IL
true we may lose, under adverse cir
cumstances, u few old COWS, but have
had good years branding, and young
stock are looking remarkably well.
Since my last letter there has been
no further engagements OF stock for
the spring drive am credibly In
formed that there ARE slill on the range
not under contract about two thou
sand head of ones and twos--priuci.
pally ones. The inteIrogatory j. FREE
quently asked. "What will yenriugs
be worth In the spring." Certainly
not less than they brought last season,
aud judging 10y the ruling prices In
Kansas and elsewhere, they should
command an advance over last years
figures and still leave good margin to
drovers. There IL surely ~ ctn.v 81
they SHOULD be- wor,h ir-- luuH Il, tr|
home markets are not over suvliis,i,
beside we have a growing foreign de-
mand. The relative position of the
buyer and seller is somewhat changed
from that occupied last year.
The present has been IA year OF unu-
sual heavy outlay by the stocknen
and, In consequence, many of them
are financially embarrassed, and no
one Is better posted upon the situation
than are the buyers, and IL would seem
that they purpose taking advantage of
the circumstances. Many Of the stock
men are unguestionably In n crampe
position, but sooner than sacrifice their
young beef IL would be advisable Ia
sell or II portion Of their stock cattle,
as many of them are already over
strcked.
After studying closely the situation
both mt home and abroad, am per-
studded that our beef product will still,
a, least for many years 10 come, con-
IiDue Ia advance In price,