The record-union., 1893-02-04

| formation he is at the mercy, as is most
| generally the case, of glutted market.
he suffers and the industry suffers, as
often stock cattle'' are run in and the
range cattle reduced. Whereas, with
proper information at hand, all this could
| be averted and encroachment on stock
cattle prevented, selling only their
product In such form as the market would
warrant This question is attracting
much attention throughout the great
cattle producing States of the Union and is
looked upon with alarm; it may practi-
cally result in beef famine in 1884 unless
some action is taken to inform producers
| of the condition of affairs and check hap
hazard shipping of breeding cows and
calves TO glutted markets.
we think this can be accomplished
through the agency of a National Bureau
of Information and Statistics of Live
Stock.
We ask that our Senators and Repre-
sentatlves in Congress take such steps as
are in their power to aid in the formation
of this bureau.
The permanent establishment of the
large abattoirs in California is most
progressive step for the meat producing
interests OF California. The great lack OF
Iacilltles Tor the working up of the entire
carcass of slaughtered meats in large
| quantities has been serious drawback
to extension of the breeding of food
\ A4ASettS' ~ SsIl6IllpA HIS DGtll IlldAlC W
crease the supply above the ordinary de-
mand for home consumption. With the
! ocean trade at our very doors, we have
! permitted cured meats to be shipped
across the continent and sold to what
should be our own customers. Under
the new system just in process of organi
Zatlon, 1t is to be hoped that not only
California but our Pacific Slope will see
to its continuation, whereby permanent
market will be established for The sale of
| live stock raised on the slope. At these
| abattoirs every portion of the carcass
| will be utilized in some manner. The
tanners get the hides, bones will be used
for the manufacture of buttons, for refin-
ing and in the making of fertilizers, the
hoofs and horns for the manufacture OF
combs, hairpins and other articles of
trade. In fact, every portion of the
slaughtered animal will be turned to
commercial account.
Our importation of hams, bacon, lard
ana canned meats each year from the
factories of the Western and Middle
States is of such magnitude as to cause
one not informed to doubt the figures.
| There was an average Of SIX carloads of
ten tons each per day for every day in the
| year lS92 brought from across the Rocky
| Mountains.
1t Will be said by the unprogressive
people that we cannot feed stock in COM
| petition with the great corn-growing
States that produce the bulk of meat tor
| packing purposes; that in those States
corn can be produced so cheaply as to
enable the stock-raiser to grow meat at a
much less cost than can we, and by rea-
| son of the character of feed necessary to
make solid meats, so highly essential in
packing, they have an advantage over us.
To this we will say that when it is
found there are methods of properly ham
ding an excessive quantity of meats,
there will be no trouble in producing
corn in abundance to give it quality.
The reason we do not produce more corn
| is that for our present purposes we raise
much better forage.
Our alfalfa gives US much cheaper and
| better fodder for producing growth for
| home consumption, and with this char
acter of food for the breeding stock, and
ample corn that will be forthcoming
when necessary for fattening and stall
feeding, we should make the production
of food meats prominent and paying
! business. CALIFORNIA; advantages for this
industry are superior, but the great num-
| Der of available resources has caused this
new one to lie dormant. We have been
contented IN selling our wheat, wine.
wool, horses and fruit and buying such
| other commodities as we need from sister
States. That we are able to produce all
the necessaries of life no one doubts, but
lack of necessity to so do has rendered us
| neglectful in the full development, as yet
OF our many advantages tnat lie in the
| cultivation of the soil.
This state of affairs is caused by lack
of population, and an overabundance of
resources. The swine interest alone is
one of great future, not only in this
State, but in the United States, and
we are disappointed to find lack of in
crease i'll the production of this most
prominent of meat products. Even in
Europe most pretentious falling off in
the supply OF pork was shown in 1892, as
compared with the year previous. In
England and Ireland alone there was
shown to be a % per cent. decrease in the
supply.
Prices corroborated this fact, as the
usual fall therein, common to the autumn
months, failed to occur this year in either
Europe or America, which fact indicates
| the supply was short of the demand
| The great increase in the consumption of
this prominent article of food is due in a
great measure to the improved manner of
curing and increased facilities for ship
ment, facts worthy of considering when
calculating upon the future of this in
dustry.
Hence we say, new fields must be
| opened for the production of this product
in quantities, and as California has ali the
natural advantages necessary, it is to be
hoped an impetus will be given the pork
interest here, and we are positive this
will occur, providing increased iacili-
ties are given for the proper packing and
curing of this great article OF commerce.
California, with her unequaled forage
capacity, should be shipping meats in
stead of importing them.
TAXATION.
This subject is always open to discus
sion, as it is of great interest to the public
in general and the farmer in particular.
as all of his property, as a rule, is in full
view of that most necessary official-the
Assessor. In adversely as well as in
prosperity taxes must be met. Hence,
the community OF agricultural producers
are now agitatlng the exemption OF grow
ing fruit trees from taxation, and propose
Il constitutional amendment to that end.
! We believe in this proposition. Growing
fruit trees should no more be taxed on
the Ist day of March of each year than
should the six or eight-inch growing
grain. This principle is in direct conflict
with the spirit of our Constitution, that
promises equal rights to all.
The enterprising farmer who seeks to
improve Calitornia's capabilities by a
diversity of crops does so at a more or less
risk of money, as often experiments of
localities and climate are necessary, and
a great loss otstilne is made i'll the growth
of fruit trees. Consequently we say that
he should be exempt from an additional
tax on his enterprise until he has demon
strated whether or not his land is capa-
BILE: then let the assessed value be fixed
on the land according to its productive
ness. To impose a tax upon growing
trees or vines is a penalty on progression.
OTHER AGRICULTURAL ITEMS.
There is no use denying the fact that
California must rely upon agriculture
and its coordinate branches for her in
come. 1t is this interest that brings re-
t,,rr,c and oriN Nns ns if1nnav from fnrni OIL,