The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1883-10-06

some months ago SenSdllondl aIt-
Gle appeared in a New York paper on
the future supply of beef in this coun-
try. II showed that the possible limit
Of beef production had been nearly
reached in many Of the States, and
that in some of the. Territories therelwas
not sufficient forage to properly sup
port all the cattle now within their
borders. 1t predicted that in near
future beef would become so scarce
that it would rank as luxury that only
the rich could afford. Then the same
state of affairs would exist here which
exists in some European countries. The
common people would be obliged to
give up eating beef and be content with
cheaper articles of food. 1t certainly is
likely that most kinds of food will be
higher in the future than in the past,
but there seems TO be no probability that
the price of beef VII be out of proper
ton with other kinds OF food. 1t is GER
tain that the limit of beef production
has not been reached in many sections
of the country. TIE production Of beef
for the market has just began to re-
ceive attention .-ost Of the Southern
States. Till very lately cattle received
only secondary consideration. As a rule
only natives were kept, and they
were often left to pick up their food as
best they could. The production OF
forage crops was neglected, aid but q
small amount of corn and other grains
suitable for stock food was raised. Cot
ton-seed was thrown into heaps..and
burned or left to rot. At present all
this is changed. Better breeds of cat
tie have been introduced; more atten-
ton is given to the productions of for.
age crops, and the cotton-seed is used fol
stock food.
The limit of profitable beef produc-
ton has not been reached in the New
England States. The introduction Of
the silo and the preservation Of fodder
corn in the form of ensilage have ena-
bled some farmers to double the mum.
ber of cattle kept on their places. Theil
example will be followed by other farm.
ers in the future The limit of beef
production has not been reached in the
States where the most beef has beer
produced. Illinois has never contained
cattle enough to eat all the stock-food
1t produced. Until very recently a large
proportion of the straw produced ha'
been burned, while most Of the corn
fodder has been wasted Cultivated
grasses and clover have not been gen
orally introduced into one-fourth til,
State. Scarcely any attention has beel
given to the production Of turnips ant
other roots that do so much toward pro
ducing the beef Of England. The larg'
amount Of tlax-seed meal or oil-cak,
produced has been sent to feed herds il
the old country. Till lately a large pro
portion of the cattle kept have beel
"scrubs," which gave no good return
for the food they devoured. Every yea
more attention has been given to th'
improvement of cattle intended fo
beef, and, as consequence, more meat |
produced for an equal amount of foo
eaten. Every year more attention
given to saving straw and corn-fodder
and 10 feeding them to stock in judi
cious manner. Many swamps and bog
are being drained and made to produc
enormous quantities not only of valuabl
grass but of corn and small grains sui
able for stock food. Cattle have bette
protection during the winter; and, as
consequence, they require less food.
more judicious system Of feeding
practiced, which produces better n
suits.
The attention that has been given
the early maturity of cattle has resulte
in greatly increasing the amount
, beef. A few years ago large propo
tion Of the bullocks designed for ii
market were not slaughtered till the
! were five or six years old. In many II
stances they did not sell for enough
pay for half the food they had consume
. Now most stock-raisers turn off the
cattle when they are three years oil
and there is a strong disposition to pr
! pare them for the mavket at still ca
!. lier age. This change in managemel
has on some farms almost doubled Il
: amount of beef produced. lmprov
: ments in the quality of stock, in bull
: ings for the protection of animals, al
i in the manner of feeding are now goir
: on faster than ever before, and the +
e suit will be more and better beef. C
cago Times.
|.