The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-03-03
ON THE FARM.
Facts for the Farmer.


The statistics of the United States
Agricultural Department show some
curiosities in the value of farm animals,
and the figures are enormously large.
For instance, the horses in this country
number over 10000, 900 and are valued
at S769,0O0,000 (using round numbers),
the average value per head being SAT 81.
Iowa is the banner State, with 1867, 900
horses, closely followed by Illinois, Tex
as, Missouri, Kansas and Ohio, in the
order named. Rhode Islands horses
average the highest in price, in proper
ton to number, each horse being valued
at sos, 43, while New Mexico ranks the
lowest, the average being but $3.50
Missouri, Texas, Tennessee and Georgia
lead on mules, the former State holding
the highest honor, with nearly 259, 900
mules, valued at 1851 each. These
prices are quoted to January, 1894, and
as compared with 1898 they show de-
crease of 1875 900 horses in the United
States, and decrease in value for 1894
of 1928, 900, 900. as the average price last
year was sol %, while this year, as
stated, the average is but s47S3, the
| difference in price representing an enor-
| nous shrinkage in the value of the
| whole.
COWS AND SHEEP.
There are almost the same number Of
| COWS as of horses, the cows slightly lead
| ing, but the value of each cow is but
S21.77, the total value being $3.50. 000, 600
| New York leads, having l, 572, 900 cows,
with Iowa and Illinois second and third,
the highest prices being obtained in New
Jersey, where the average is $500, with
| Arkansas lowest at $10.76. There are
45, 900. 900 sheep, valued at sl.9S each
the total value being about SS9, 600, 600
There are also $4,000, 900 hogs, valued at
S5.9S each, the total being over S270, 000
| 600. California has the most sheep,
3. 100000, with Texas close up, her pro
portion being $780, coo. Ohio. Oregon,
| New Mexico, Montana aud Michigan
follow, New Jersey leading IN price, al
81 los per sheep, and Alabama the lowest
at $1.22. Compared with 1898 COWS
have increased $4,000, and are also q
small fraction higher in value on the
average, the total increase in value being
over S2,000,000. Sheep have largely de-
crea sed in number as well rs in value
and the same may be said of swine, yet
the decrease in the value of each sheer
is but GS cents, ard of each hog Al
cents.
| ENORMOUS VALUE OF STOCK.
The total value of horses, COWS [oxeu
and other cattle also), sheep and swine
| amount to the enormous sum of 81, TO
coo, goo. Tbs does not include poultry
and eggs, which would probably add 81
| per cent more to the total sum. The
| shriDkage in value. compared with 1895
is S312, 600, 600, of which the horses are
responsible Tor the larger share. The
stock interests of this country, large az
they appear, are really less than they
should be. With the use of improved
| breeds the value of the cattle and sheer
| could be more than doubled. This is
shown in the average for swine (S5 .9S)
which is quito large, owing to the great
improvements made in the breeds
within the past two decades 1t is graft.
tying to know that cattle have held their
prices and numbers as it demonstrates
a greater and growing interest in that
| direction.