St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-04-29
*Partly estimated
comparison of the receipts of cattle and
sheep discloses the following:
*Partly estimated.

These comparisons are the more surprising
when we consider that only three years ago
it was the commonly accepted theory that
this state and Dakota were too far north to
successfully engage in stock raising, and
therefore it was doubtful If q live stock mar
ket could be established here. That the full
force of the meaning OF these comparative
statements may be grasped by. the mind, let
us reeapitulate. In the first two years of its
existence this market has consumed more
hogs than the Kansas City market did in the
first four years. more sheep than the Kansas
City market did in the first seven years while
in cattle this market will end its third year
ON par with that market at the end of its
third year, all of which seems TO indicate
that the growth of this business at ST. Paul is
destined to possibly eclipse the splendid his
tory of the Kansas City yards which in
1885 (the last report at handl, the fifteenth
year of their existence, handled 506,627
CATTLE 2.359,71S hogs, 22l, S01 sheep and
24.5G6 horses and mules-a trade aggregat-
ing probably $50. 100000.
Many interesting facts have been developed
in connection with the enterprise. The
theory that this climate is peculiarly COLI
duelve to healthin animals and consequent
development has received confirmation. One
OF the first enterprises entered upon by the
stockyards- company was the building of a
barn capable of feeding 1000 head OF cat
tle This barn remained idle for more than
wear, and it began to look as though 1t were
failure. But at length. in connection with
the distillery, it was utilized with great sue
cess. and most satisfactory results; and in
the last year it has turned out about 1000 as
fat, sleek, healthy animals as could be de-
sized, and cattle feeding may now be consid-
cred permanent industry here. The next
experiment was in feeding sheep and the re-
suit mas been most gratifying as well as as
tonishing. The winter before last the
first experiment was made with few sheep:
the result was so encouraging that the same
parties last winter fed at the yards something
over 10000 Sheep and this winter additional
buildings will have to be erected tor supply
the demand-fnlly p, 600 are already con-
tracted for, and it seems probable that 40, coa
sheep will be fed this winter at the South st.
Paul stock yards; the great point being that
they maintain perfect healthfulnesS Prob
ably the most astonishing statement which |
shall be able to make to you in this commu-
nication is the fact that sheep are being
bought as a legitimate private business ven
ture at the Chicago stock yards, shipped to
ST. Paul and fattened. and then returned to
Chicago for sale. Within the last sixty days
over 5000 of this class of sheep have been
received here. and 1 am informed
that parties are now negotiating
for 10000 sheep in Texas to be
the winter and made ready for the spring
market. Reasoning from the facts | have
stated, it has been thought that the eond1-
tious viz, freedom from disease resulting
from aggregation which has made sheep
feeding SO successful and profitable, may
be found conducive to like results III feeding
hogs.
At first thought it would seem absurd to
think of bringing corn from Iowa or NebraS-
ka to st. Paul to feed to hogs which must be
sold in competition with hogs fed on the
farm where the corn is raised; but an expert
ment made by Prof. McLain, director of the
state agricultural farm. seems to indicate
that it can probably be done. He raised
and fattened about fifty hogs, charging up
their food including corn purchased in the
open market at market values. at a cost of
two cents per pound, live weight which he
sold here at four cents per pound, live
weight showing net profit OF loo per cent.
We must not rush at conclusionstoe quick
", but it may be principle has been dis
covered here which will prove of great
value to the Minnesota farmers. 1t may be
that the Minnesota farm is the place to breed
the pig, develop his bone and frame to the
fattening period, and then send him to
market to be fattened in large fattenins es-
Establishments, where all the appliances for
preparing proper food in proper manner
can be made available as it cannot on the
isolated farm
AT any rate.i it has been determined to make
an experiment on sufficiently large scale,
and under such auspices as to be of more or
less convincing force according to the degree
of success attained.