Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-04-20
Report on Farm Animals.

The siatis iclan OF the department OF agri-
culture In his report for last month says: Ii
was stated year ago that the interest in
horse breeding was unabated; 1t has been
greater still during the past year, resulting In
enlargement OF numbers and enhancement Of
the aggregate value. No class OF domestic
animals has increased In such proportion with
In the year. The advance averages per
cent, and is well distributed through the
country, though naturally larger in the states
so rapidly developing beyond the Mississippi
II is quite marked on the Pacific coast, a
natural result OF the rapid increase OF popula-
ton there and development Of Industrial en-
terprses generally. Many persons in Ohio
and elsewhere are giving up sheep in favor OF
horses. The tendency in the central states
west AT the Alleghsnies is strong toward lar
ger aud heavier horses, suitable for draught
purposes the French breeds predomlnating in
the Improvement In contrast 10 this there
Is an influx OF broncos from Texas, and even
some are bred by few farmers, to the de-
terioration OF the stock so far as practced.
These Texas ponies have oyerrun the cotton
states during the past year, and are bred in
that region TO "A limited extent. The increase
is very noticeable in the ranch regions Of the
be- hardy there not smOthcred by crowding
together in storm like sheep nor drifting
amlessly like cattle, but courageously breast
Ing the Billiards and intelligently seeking
subsistence beneath the snow. There was
also a less pronounced advance In tie number
OF mules, estimated at 81 [per cent.
The extension OF cattle-growing has been
normal, corresponding very nearly with IN
crease OF population. Though prices have
been low aud heavy losses have occurred in
some OF the ranch districts from cold and
storms, often in connection with overcrovd-
ing Of feeding grounds, there 5 an abiding
faith in the future of the business, grass being
the cheapest and most abundant source OF
beef, yielding perhaps nine tenths OF all that
Is produced IN the country. Corn has re-
lativcy small share in the bcefmaking
I'm any country. The northwestern states
are giving more and more prominence To
cattle, the wheat interest relatively deciin-
lug in the older settlements. Mich cows are
receiving rather more attention han in recent
years In the eastern aud middle states and
are Increasing everywhere With the advance
OF population. There is some recuperAti on
from the depression felt in cheese making dis
tricts, New York especially, when prices OF
their products ruled 50 low.
There has been a further decline in num-
brrs Of sheep, amounting 10 b"tween , and
per cent, the aggregate number being about
$50, 0m. There has also been som change
Of pastures. Some OF the Texas flockmssters
hsvc sent considerable numbers 10 New
Mexico. There has bren Tor several wears
d-poriation Of sheep from PENNSYLVANIA 10
the cheaper grasses II the FAR west Thu de-
cline In swine has been slight averaging less
than ] per cent. leaving the aggregate over
a 0b1.Op
The values 81 farm animals, those Of cattle
excepted, have changed very little in th-
past wear. The average for swine has advanced
about 10 per cent. The difference IN HE
averages tor horses, mules and sheep are
very slight The rise in value In horses
since lN11 has been the most noticeable f-a-
turr Ia farm stock values. Tn highest prices
of the inna ON period were reached in $50
averaging 81 l6. declining from that date
10 the lowest chb Of agriculture depression
IN 1919 20 81 A.. The present pric- is nearly
that OF 1874 and does not differ much from
the value ~ 1863 reduced 10 gold, showing
that the price OF horses is now relatively high.
aud furnishing a solid reason for the i'm
crease In numbers, aul for the frequent
expression OF correspondents that horses and
mules NAV pay the stock grower better than
any other class Of animals. There another
good reason for the uuyicldng prices o.
horses N "A time OF general shrinkage Of
yalues-yZ., the Improvement I'm quality bv
thoroughbred blood. and especially the in
crease Of weight by the general sfrbution
OF French aud English draught horses
Cattle were highest in 1853, So - in 1870,
declining until 1919 to SIS 80, then rising an
nually 10 1854. the average being S23 -,
and declining constantly since. standing now
AT sl1 ~ This shlgher than 1t the lowest
DEPRESSION, and AZ the gold value about the
SAM as at the commencement II the none
tsry panic OF 1873. From 1879 20 1854 the
annual estimate 81 prices Of mich cows and
other cattle advanced yearly, and the de-
cline hiss since been uninterrupted, without
eXcept on, for either class If stock. The fall
In m lch cows hss been from SO - 10 So
So over Per cent; and IN oxen and other
cattle from so ~, 10 Sl7 % a decline 81 10 per
cent. in the last wear.
In sheep, ss in other stock, the annual cd
vance was quite steady after 1879 and
amounted 20 - per cent. in four YEAR. From
1883 TO lseG The decline was over - per ceut.,
or from s. 53 10 | 81. The next wears aver
age was s! on, and the present average 81 05.
or nearly "a much a in the depression Of 1919,
when prices were TIE lowest In twenty yesrs.
There h b en- an advance in the average FOR
swine Of al ages from 81 - - s. 8, ~, / per
cent The annual advance wss continuous
from 1919 70 1888, then declining 10 1856 and
slightly advancing again since.