Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-04-26

It is estimated that the annual cattle
sales in the United States amount to about
1900, 900 900. The wealth has been great
ly increased by the large augmentation of
thoroughbred cattle. The American Herd
Book has been extended to twenty-three
volumes. These volumes are occupied
with the record and pedigree of 10000
cows aud AZ 900 bulls and all OF ore class.
viz Durhams or Shorthorns. The best
beef which finds its way to market is that
Of graded Durham cattle. The Agricul-
iural Review makes this comment: One
not intimate with the subject might sup
pose that with such an array in numbers of
our ShorthOrns the prices of them would
gradually diminish at both the public and
private sales, now so frequent and in such
large numbers in our States. Such. how
ever is not the fact; average sales are now
equal in prices at which they have
ever been. During the last five years the
public sales have annually averaged 5000
animals-bulls. cows, and heifers-at an
average price Of 1852 per head, while
probably an equal number have been sold
Mt private sales and at somewhat higher
prices. Many of them have sold for ST.
900 and up even to $4,000 each, so es-
feemed for pedigree and quality are they
by our breeders. Much higher prices,
indeed, have been obtained in some past
years, even as high as $4,000 and up
wards for single animals from eminent
English breeders, who have come here
after them: but that was in time of high
excitement in Shorthorn rivalry. and need
be noted only as one Of the extraordinary
fluctuations in their progress. The I'M
familiar reader may ask. Where is the
great demand for these cattle? Where
is the market tor the several thousand
bulls annually produced The question is
readily answered. Untold herds of cattle
by hundreds and thousand roam over the
broad ranches of Texas, New Mexico,
Colorado. and California, of the descend
ants of the original Spanish importation
into Mexico from Spain in the sixteenth
century. Ranging over the vast plains
and pampas of that mild climate, they in
creased simultaneously. Texas became
full of them; New Mexico also, and since
the incorporation Of these countries with
ours, uncouth and ragged as they were in
their wild condition. those cattle have
been brought under the subsection of civil
lized stockman, arranged into herds.
branded with the marks of their owners,
and at marketable age driven through the
Indian Territory into Kansas. and thence
to Missouri and Chicago markets. either
for immediate slaughter. as their condi-
lions would afford, or sold n the graziers
and feeders for a better market eastward.
These wild cattle are unfit for choice beef,
but the cows. crossed on their ranches by
Shorthorn bulls. produce tolerably COED
steers, partaking strongly of the blood
and forms of their sires. and became mar
ketable animals. with good pasturage and
grain topping off in the hands Of the
corn growing graziers who purchased
them.
The grading up of cattle in the west
and southwest has been going on rapidly
within the last ten years. 1t would be
difficult to decide whether Illinois or
Kentucky is the centre of the Shorthorn
breeding interest in this country. The
centre. wherever it may be. is movable
one. The Texas steer, that is. the origi-
nal long horned. half wild animal. is rap
idly disappearing. Droves OF these cat
tie are now rarely seen. They have been
displaced by better ones.-Nem York
Shipping List.