Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-09-13
ROOND.UPS.
An Old Cattleman Talks of the Livestock
Lookout in Texas.
The Herds Being Improved and Prospects for
Better Times Growing Brighter Cattle
in West Texas aud the Panhandle.

a gentleman we'll posted in stock in
terests generally-one who has been en-
gagged in the cattle business for years in
Texas, and who is about as close an OBJ
server of all that pertains to 1t as can be
found, was talking to a GAZETTE re-
porter about the great changes that had
taken place IN the business in the last
few years, and predicted that the day
was not far distant when this state
would be noted not SO much for the num-
Der of cattle in 1t but for the quality of
them.
az have been over large portion of
the state during the past few weeks, -
he said, land was surprised myself to
notice the great change that had taken
place in the herds. During all my
travels l did not see single old-fashion
longhorn steer where there was, in
former years, no other kind. The
Shorthorn, the Hereford and other i'm
proved breeds have taken the places of
the old kind, and while there
may not be SO many cattle in Texas
to-day as there was few years back
the value of them Is much greater.
Another thing noticed was the differ
ence in the nature of the herds now aud in
the past. 1t used 10 be the case that q
man approaching herd of Texas cattle,
on foot, would cause q stampede, but
now Instead of the cattle running from
pedestrian they will approach him, and
even permit him TO walk among them
without evinciug the slightest symptoms
of alarm.
81 am truly glad to see this change in
the cattle industry of Texas; it marks
the dawning of new and prosperous
era. The day is rapidly drawing near
when the cattle barons will be but a mem
DRY, and small herds of choice breeds of
cattle will be the rule. Land is rapidly
approaching in value, and il will soon be
worth too much, even on the plains, to
be used only for grazing purposes. The
holdings of cattle on farms is increasing,
and will continue to increase in proper
ton to the increase of the farmers gem
eral knowledge. 1t Is evident that there
is more money made by those farmers
who combine agriculture with stock rais-
ing and more farmers are going into it.
No man who looks at the matter in the
proper light will regret that this is
the case; for 1 tell you that it will
add to the general prosperity of the
state. No matter if the number of cat
tie in Texas do decrease % per cent. or
even more, the quality of these few
will be so much better that the aggre-
gate value will be in excess of what the
herds are worth to-day. And it is all
toolishness for men who depend on the
livestock business for living to con-
tinue producing a class of cattle that
bring poor prices on the market. Our
cattle in Texas have been going to Chi
cago for years and selling along side of
those from other states at prices 30 and
so per cent. below what the other cattle
would bring-not because they were
Texas cattle, but because Texas cattle
were not as good as the Others.
"'Do you notice changes in other
stock than cattle?' asked the reporter.
go yes, the improvement is not con-
fined 10 cattle by any means, but have
sheep are being rapidly introduced in
different parts of the state. This is es-
pecially the case with hogs.
''What breed of hogs seems to be the
most popular2''
Judging from the numbers I saw. I
would say that the Berkshire was, but
there are large numbers of Poland
China. Some people are breeding both
straight, but quite number prefer a
cross of the two breeds, using Berk-
shire boar with POLAND sOWs. In my
opinion this is one of the best crosses that
can be made, and believe the result of
the cross is better animal than pure
breed of either strain. Either will ma
ture quick but unless the Berkshire is
handled carefully it will become wild,
and the Poland carries too much fat in
proportion to the lean. The result of the
cross is happy medium, and is success
wherever tried. The hog industry is
rapidly on the increase, and if it was not
for the short corn crop this year the num-
Der of fat hogs in Texas next winter
would be surprise TO everybody
A gentleman well posted in livestock
matters generally-one who has been en-
gagged in the business in Texas for years,
aud who is a close observer of all that
pertains to livestock matters.
"Leaviug the subject of the improve
meut OF stock in Texas, what do you
think of the outlook for the beef cattle
market?'
"I believe the prospect to-day is bet
ter than it has been for years. The con-
dltious are better, and l am sure better
times will come. do not look for an
immediate advance in prices-indeed l
doubt if there will be any material ad-
vance this year; but in the spring of 1891
l expect to see grass cattle much higher
than they have been this year. What
will cause this? The shortage in cattle
will cause 1t, and the shortage in good
beef cattle next spring will be brought
about by there being so few cattle fed
during the winter. Corn is and will be
not only high but scarce, and feeders
who purchased steer cattle to feed are
now disposing of them as fast as they
can. Another thing, the big supplies
that have been drawn every year from the
Indian Territory will be cut down. No
cattle will go out from the Cherokee
Strip next year, and but few will go
from the country of the uncIviliZed In
dams. The closing of these sections to
the cattlemen will cut the market supply
down not less than 500, 900 head of cattle
during the year.
"There is another thing, too, though
it is small at first, that is going to help
things in Texas. 1t is now positively
stated that the refrigerator at Fort
Worth will start up on the LIST of Ooto-
Der, and that 1t will consume 200 head of
beef cattle per day, all of which will be