The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1885-03-14
OUR STOCK INTERESTS.

Under the ABOVE meaning the NEW
Orleans Times-Democrat says:
"'The late report of the national
of agriculture shows
that the capital invested in live stock
exceeds that in any other class of
property, except real estate and rail
road securities, amounting in Janu-
airy, 1885, to 50, 457, 425, divided as
follows: Cattle 81, JOY, 285, 900; hor
ses, $685., 282, 200; mules, 1852, 49,
900; swine, 1926, 4O1, 683, and sheep,
$1O7, 96O,95O. There were 43,771,-
900 cattle, an increase of 1,224,000
during the year; 5O,360,00O sheep,
a decrease of 5000; 45,l92,000
swine, an increase of 10000; H.
564,OO0 horses, an increase of 1884,
$50, and 900 mules, an increase
of So, 900. There was a shrinkage
in value in all kinds of stock during
the year, least in horses and great
est in sheep and swine, yet leaving
our stock still one of the most inn
portant elements of our national
wealth. The greatest decline in
sheep has been in the eastern states,
particularly Pennsylvania, while in
the west and south, on the other
hand, there has been a considerable
increase in their number.
Taking all the various domestic
animals into consideration, the Uni
ted States is far ahead of all other
countries in animal wealth. Per-
haps, next to this, the greatest stock
land in the world is the Argentine
Republic, which reports II, 1854, 900
cattle and 67,416,OOO sheep, largely
surprising us in the latter.
Europe is far behind, and is
dropping further behind every year.
Half a century ago there were as
many swine in Europe as there are
to-day; now that entire continent
possesses only eight-ninths as many
as this country. Its stock of oxen
and cows is but little more than
double that of the United States, al.
though the population is eight times
greater. In fine, the increase in the
European meat supply has not kept
pace with the increase in population
although there was greater gair
in weight than in numbers. To
show the effect of good breeding
the average weight of an OK il
France has increased from $40 tC
1000 pounds. On the other hand
during this period, when the popu
lation of Europe has been doubled
the number of swine have absolute
| " decreased, that of oxen increased
only 80 per cent, and of sheep only
per cent. The European, there
fore, must content himself with les,
meat or depend upon America o.
Australia for his supply. There il
reason, therefore, to expect a still
further development and improve
ment of our annual wealth and il
the prosperity of our stock, SHEEP
and hog raising industries.
"The United States keeps wei
ahead of all other countries. 1t i
| first in the value and number of cat
tie and swine, while Russia leads il
horses with the United States sec
ond; Australia is first in sheep will
! Il, $50, 900, the Argentine republi,
second with 67,4l6, 900, and the Tn
| tied States third with 50,36O,000. L
should be noticed also that, while
the United States is we'll ahead, th'
number of its stock is increasing an
nually, and the quality, breed ant
weight are improving still more rap
idly. BY judicious Importation
and crossings all the low grade stool
of this country are becoming con
verified into the very best breeds"