National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-04-24

Southern Dakota has In three or four
years changed in some measure from
a stock ranch region to o cattle. feeding
country, with rapid change Of condition
and average weight
With reference TO weight Of beeves, the
state agents reports as follows:
New York--Stall feeding full-grown
steers and oxen Is q business which Is de-
creasing in New York, and has fallen off
very rapidly within two years, as the far
mers have found that they cannot compete
with the cheap dressed beef sent from the
west. City butchers quite generally supply
their markets with this kind Of beef, and
the stall-fed cattle, fully matured, have
had to be sold at about the same rate. The
most of the cattle now slaughtered In the
country for local consumption are young
heifers and steers and old cows. This has
reduced the average weight OF all beeves.
Cattle are now better housed and fed than
they were ten years ago, and they are fitted
for slaughter sooner, and the heifers come
to be cows generally at two years Of age.
Pennsylvapia-The average age at which
beeyes are sent TO market is two and a half
years; generally less than ten years, and the
age is steadily decreasing The average
weight OF beeves sold for slaughter in 1885
was sos pounds, the same as ten years ago.
North Carolina-The average time for
marketing beeves is from two to four years.
be called veal. The average age OF matur-
ity is about three years, the same as In
former years. The average weight OF beeves
ia 400 pounds. There Is o slight increase,
however, In this respect In the counties
where attention has been given to the I'm
proyement OF stock by the Introduction OF
blooded ibreedetss In which some progress
i6 Icing made. #fHt q.
South CarolIna-1The average age for
d.. str-rN aV,H hall
and the average time for reaching maturity
is generally less than ten years ago, The
average weight Of beeves slaughtered or
sold for slaughter In 1885 was about 57S
pounds, aud about the same In 1875,
Georgia-The age at which cattle are sent
TO market as beeves varies from three TO
FIVE years, and there Is no indicated change
In this respect IN the last ten years, there
being no material change in the breeds or
in the treatment of beef cattle. The live
weight Of beeves has undergone no change
in the same period, being from 500 TO 700 In
north Georgia, and from $50 pounds to
500 pounds in south Georgia, the general
average being about 400 pounds.
Florida--Beeves are sent to the market
at three and -four years; at that age they are
in best condition, though they viii increase
In weight up to six years. No difference
can be noticed In their arrival at maturity
during the past ten years. ,,t,a
Alabama-Improved cattle are grown
for beef only In the northern part OF the
state. There they are marketed at two
Years Of age; the common cattle usually at
three, II grown especially for beef, as In
some Of the lower counties. The average
rye in the whole state at which they are
marketed is three years. The age has not
been reduced within the last ten years In
consequence Of earlier maturity Of the cat
lie, but the demand springing. up within
the last two years for cattle to be pastured
in Texas has induced sales at an earlier
bhtchered over the entire state In 1895 was
about 700 pounds; that In 1876, $40 pounds.
. The low price OF cotton for some years past
has increased the attention given 10 cattle.
Many planters In the fine prairie region OF
the state have turned their attention TO
grass and cattle during the last ten years.
This, with the increased attention given In
the northern part of the state, has increased
the average weight
Mississippi-The average weight OF steers
and cows Is 600 pounds, gross yearllngs,
200, Improved blooded stock reach una
turity two years earlier than the common
stock. The Common stock have not i'm
proved much in weight for the past ten
wears.
Arkansas -Beeves are sold at from three
TO four years old, and the majority at three
years, for slaughter. Many, however, are
sold as yearlipgs and two-year-olds to
Texas and Missouri grazers. The time re.
qnired to reach maturity now, as compared
with ten years ago, is somewhat less. This
was brought about chiefly by better care and
more attention TO breeding, Tho live
weight OF beeyes Slaughtered In 1885 wonld
not exceed 500 pounds; In 1873, 200 pounds.
West Virginia-The average age at
which beeVes are sent TO market Is two aud
q half years, and the time for reaching ma