Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-01-12
THE CATTLE TRADE.
California StOck-ranges
Steadily Disappearing.
CONDITION OF THE MARKET.
Arizona and Nevada Called on to
Supply the Present
Demands.

As the population of California
grows apace, in like proportion disap-
pear her vast cattle and sheep
ranches which fifty years ago were
noted throughout the western country.
In those days the scene was very
different one to that which is pre-
sented at the present time. Over the
fertile plains Of the Golden State
broused countless herds OF sleek
sided cattle herded by behatted and
bespurred vaqueros such as one
sometimes meets in the heart
of the cattle country of Arizona.
The tide OF immigration soon changed
the vista, however. Agriculturalists,
men who could realize the value OF
the earth beneath their feet, settled
here, there and everywhere, hamlets,
villages, towns and cities sprang into
existence, and with the enhanced
value of property, the cattlemen were
compelled to drive their herds into
districts as yet beyond the pale OF set
tlement. Shortly but surely the broad
ranges were cut up, and at the present
time, cattle ranching on any large
scale bids fair to become extinct in
California. The result OF this is already
making itself felt, especially in the
southern part OF the State, and during
the past two or three months Arizona
has been called on to meet the press
ing demands and at the present time
is shipping in carloads of cattle to
Los Angeles County every week. In
the northern part of the State, a SINH
lar condition OF affairs exists and Ne
vada stockmen are shipping in beeves
to the northern cities in great num-
bers. A HERALD representative was
in the cattle district OF Southern
California last week-among the foot
hills OF the Sierra Madres-and there
visited one of the most prominent
stockmen in that vicinity.
'What do think of the shipments
from Arizona into Los Angeles 2" said
the cattleman in response to query
put by the reporter. "pll tell you
Just what it amounts to. You see this
is the worst time of the year for the
cattle business in Arizona and the
stockmen are anxious to get all they
can off their hands during the next
two months. The influence on the
market, of course, affects all OF us
local men q good deal, but can as
sure you that although they have the
advantage over us as regards a dimi-
mutton OF price they cannot compete
with the quality OF the meat supplied.
Their cattle are driven from the ranges
to the cars, there cooped up from
twenty-iour to thirty-six hours, and
Immediately on being liberated at
this end are marched off to the
slaughter yards and butchered. Any
one who knows anything about cattle
will admit that by this process the
carcasses are bound to be OF
very poor quality as the animals
are all to q certain extent feverish at
the time of death, and / should not
be surprised if a good deal of sick
ness and disease is traced to this
source"
"What sort OF a year has this been
for the cattle business here ?'' said
the scribe.
"Well, very good. There has been
plenty of feed in the hills and enough
water for all purposes. This is about
the worst time for us. The
snow in the foothills compels
us to drive all stock down to the
plains, where, as a rule, the feed
is very inferior, Of course the ultimate
result is in our favor, but it makes
things unpleasant for the present:
Financially we are doing well, and
there is good and increasing demand
in all directions for our animals.
There is no doubt in my mind but
that the day will come when the beef
supply will become very knotty
question. OF course it is a long
way ahead at present, but it must i'll
evitably result. Within the past
twenty years, for instance, the price
OF stock has advanced over 80 pei
cent. here, and is still on the increase
am perfectly satisfied with the con
dition of affairs, can assure you,
concluded the stockman, "and l be-
lieve that l simply echo the senti
ments of all engaged in the business.