The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1889-03-15
Farm Animals.

The Agricultural Department has issued
report on farm animals as follows:
The tendency to increased attention to horse
breeding which has been so noticeable i'll re-
cent years is still progressive. The low val
ue of cattle stimulates renewed attention 10
horses. Improvement in quality is quite as
apparent as increase or numbers. The pop
ularity of the large French and English breeds
is unabaied. Enlarged demand for drausht
horses, locally. is caused by activity in rail-
road building. Ii is gratifying TO notice that
in some parts ofthe South, where manufacture
ing has been introduced or extended. there
has arisen an unaccusioh ell demand Tor
horses In the Territories the establishment
of horse ranches has increased the numbers Of
these useful animals. They are found TO be
thrifty aud profitable stock for the range.-
They are not exempt, however, from losses
and disabilities as there are local complaints
of the depredaiions of wolves and mountain
lions. vi ich piey upon the young colts. In
some portions OF the Western wheat area there
has been diversion from cereals To farm nj
mails. but especially 10 horses. As til. local de-
mand is great in rapidly settling DISTRICTS
On the other land. they are IN less demand i'll
certain localities in the Ohio Valley which are
reducing arabic area and en.arsing permanent
pasture or other grass lands. Then, there are
BUYERS have no, sufficiently ~ i've in their
purchases.
The total increase in numbers appear 10 be
nearly half a million. The heaviest ratio, of
increase appear ia the Territori-, aud in.fex-
as. Kansas. and Nebraska
There has been a slight increase in mules.
The cotton belt has never done much in lais
ing either mules or horses. Some correspon-
dents report efforts there in this direction.-
In Georgia the increase in Bermuda grass is
made subservient To stock-growing, and espe-
cialy to mule raising. Others report that
mules can be growu on winter pasture AMI in
the cane-brakeS about AS easily as cIttle.
The numbers of mich cows are gradually
increasing with the advance of population. -
Milk and its products are found IN be the
cheapest AS well as the most assimilahle and
nutritious Of foods and there 10 no probabill-
ty Of a decline in the demand. The largest
increase is in the Southwest and Northwest.
where settlement is active aud population in
creasing. The arparen, increase of the year
is 442,2ll-
The numbers in cattle of alb kinds exceed
the estimate of last year by more than mil
lion. The increase is rapid in all the States
where farm extension is in progress, as in the
newer Western States and in Texas. Ark ms IS
and Tennessee. There is much dissati>fac-
ton with the low prices Of cattle, which has
tended to reduction in some places, and in 9th
ers holding for better places has tended 10 en-
largement of numbers. There is much local
complaint of combination of dealers and
butchers to control prices. and Of the discrm-
ination of railroad companies in freight rates.
There is some improvement in the quality of
cattle, as reported III many southern local.
ties. 1t is hopeful sign. Indicating a great
er popularity of cattle growing, AMI leading
ultimately 10 increase Of numbers.
There appears to re a slight further reduc-
ton in the number of sheep. due 10 discour-
agement at the low price Of wool. IL is graf
ifying to observe evidences of reinsurance in
the the future of sheep husbandry, which may
effect an increase of numbers hereafter. IN
some sections Sigh, increase of numbers
is already perceptable.
In the numbers of swine there is A marked
increase, ample for meat supply OF the natu-
raj increase of population, and 10 aid iii the
consumption Of the large corn crop of the past
past year. But portion of the Increase is Oh
ly apparent. As in several States revision of
previous estimates has enlarged the State ag
gregates. The tendency of current State sta
tistcs. founded on assessors returns. which
omit all the pigs under six months old. and
often 4 considerable portion of the hogs, is TO
an underestimate of the numbers of swine,
which naturally affects the judgment of our
correspondents. II is 4 constant struggle. in
the consolidation and revision of estimates.
20 avert the result OF an underestimate.