Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1896-01-15
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OUTLOOK is GOOD

San Antonio. Tex, Jan. N.--(speciaL)
The fourth annual convention OF the
Texas Live Stock association convened
this morning. There were about 500
members present. President Pryor In
his annual address said there vas
shortage In the Texas cattle supply Of
about 100000 head. whose value. now
over. exceeded that OF last year. He
expresses the opinion that Texas had
no reason to fear competition from the
importation OF Mexican cattle or from
Foreign competition Of any hind.
A resolution was unanimously adop-
ted strongly condomnlng rho bill Intro
duccd In congress to legalize he col
lection OF Texas cattle while srazinf in
ihe Indian Territory. A legislative
Committee was app0inte1 with spesiai
Instructions to use all available means
10 defeat the proposed bill. The Vest
dill to add bureau to the department
OF agriculture for the information OF
stoekmen was heartily endorsed mi
Texas members were urged TO support
she question.
The question OF freight charges was
ulso discussed today, but the tenor OF
the discussion indicates that commit
tee Will be appointed to handle the
whole OF the Texas product ma ship
them over the line making the best BID.
All papers read today declared mat
Texas cattle are In the best possible
condition, though the supply Is below
normal
Future of Cattle Industry.
on the subject OF the Future Of the
Cattle Industry. Secretary George b.
Loving said;
of the cattle Industry, and being un-
fortunately not possessed Of prophetic
gifts. past records. coupled with pres
ent conditions. are my only guides.
History repeats ITSELF The truth OF
this adage has been verified in the
cattle business (partlally at lcasu dur
ing the past year in the extraordinary
advance In values, and unusual de-
rnnnd FOR all classes of horned stock
Whilst the high prices of last spring
have declined somewhat, iAany we'll
posted cattlamen look for reaction
before long and even fo~ greater
advance than was seen IL 1890. The
accuracy OF this prediction depends, In
my opinion. largely on the uumh"r OF
available cattle, and whether unlver-
aal shortage really exists. That there
is shortage IN Texas cattle Is self
evident That there has been heavy
shortage In gross receipts is a matter
OF record This subject IL discussed
in another paper. but II may not be
HrrlSs to mil attention to the official
figures just issued showing cattle ro-
ceipts Al the four principal markets,
Kansas City, Chicago II. Louis and
Omaha. for the past four years.
IN lss2 ..........'-.'...'''''s eio1 ~
In 1893. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 6,409.i5i
IN ISIS ...,.............'''''- 5'llo' ~
In 1896. Observation-Disclosures. 5.52s ,61g
From these figures II will be seen
that last years receipts were In round
numbers over half million less than
IN 1884. over three quarters or a million
less Than In 1899 and close to n million
less than in 1892
In the face OF such figures II would
neem. in the natural order or things.
that an advance in the price OF beef
cattle In the near future. and mainte-
nsnce thereof ls well nigh certainty.
Now, as to the question OF the future
OF the cattle Industry. by which pre-
sumably is meant whether or not II
VIII heneeforth prove a paying invest
irent. am strongly of the aliirma'
tive opinion provided cattle men real.
lie the altered condition ~ ihnrs ami
act accordingly. shall endeavoI
briefly to Indicate few points which
In my humble opinion demand specia
recognition FROM those expecting &c
realize n profit in this business.
J. Overstocking tho range In thest
days. when all our cattle ranges ar,
being gradually contracted from va.
rious causes. Il IN poor policy and Ger.
tain TO be followed by loss directly OF
Indirectly. TO oversicck a range. Grant
ing. that under favorable circum
stances. bunch OF cattle on an over
stocked range go through the wintel
without actual loss. there IL certain
10 be a heavy shrinkage IN condition
and consequent additional time and ex
pense In getting the animals IN market
able condition. Should dry season bl
followed by a severe winter the result
on overstocked ranges Is generally dis
nstrous. A prominent cattle man toll
me OF one Instance some years sine
where he witnessed the funeral OF SOM
$4,000 head OF cattle In a single season
Now this was not the fault of the cat
tie business-dry season and over
stocked was the explanation.
z. Reserve pasture. j am thorough.
convinced of the necessity OF ever,
Btockman holding a reserve pastur
or surplus range for winter food. Witt
ordinary seasons and fair range, catti
generally 90 through the winter witt
slight loss; but II Is almost lnvaria bl,
the case that they lose considerable
fesh. and come out in spring time THU
and weak. To prevent this. should b
the aim OF those who expect 10 max
the business profitable. Steers gain NJ
growth when losing flesh, and the OBJ
ject should be to keep them In uninter
rupted growing condition from blrtl
until marketed. This can only be at
tained by having surplus or reservl
winter feed--either fresh pasturage o.
sorghum or other food stun. Those VIII
run their cattle In haphazard way
making no allowance for drouths an,
range capacity. have only themselves
and not the business to blame IL thel
lose cattle or money.
3. Grading up All progressive stock
men realize tho advantage OF grad
Ing up their herds by infusion
Of the beet blood obtainable
Our Texas herds are nearly al
more or less Improved. ana It seem,
unneceAsRry to do more than allude L
u <nc Advantage the grade or thorough
\ poaaesses over the sozrih Nou