The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-26
Showing of Production and Export
n &c. iSo2--How the Industry
Has Been NeSlected--Encour
n-ement for Its Revival--NO Im-
mediate Danger of OverprOduc-
tioE. tf

rule the shipper, if he is permanently III
the business, can be relied upon to renect
the condition of the market. The former may
he sure that when the shipper tells nm, IN
this period Of high prices, that he shouio
nrcduce more stock his advice may be safely
followed for it is an evidence that the snip
per is not likely to render the business un-
profitable Tor it is he that takes the largest
risks and he tells the former TO produce
more stock because he knows he can sell II
for him to the advantage of himself Uhe
shipper). When the period of over-production
comes, the intelligent farmer. who takes the
newspapers and reads the stock reports, Will
know quickly enough, whether he Is being
deceived or not.
But there is not much danger in this line
Just now. J. A. Power, of Richland county,
North Dakota, in a recent letter to the
Breeders Gazette, OF Chicago. one of the
most reliable live stock journals in the coun-
try. has gone largely into the merits of the
subject of increasing the growth of live stock.
He has prepared a statement based on COM
parison with the product of 1892. Mich
cows are not included cattle. The follow
ing are the figures for cattle, hogs and sheep
for the years 1892, 1897 and 1898, and are as
follows:
1892. 1897 1898.
Cattle =. . 81 $50. 600 so, 500 coo @, eco, 900
Hogs 90, 4UO,VVJ Az, 6UU,UOO 81, iUU,UOJ
Sheep =. e. As coo, 600 $3.50 coo 81, 100000
The writer commenting upon this showing
AIDES:
The pro rata number of all these animals
is lower than it has been for the last TWEEN
ty years. Cattle numbers have not been so
low since 1884, hogs since 1881, and sheep,
excepting last year, have not been so low
in number since 1875 All this in the face
Of the large increase in population and an
extraordinary increase in export trade. We
have also increased consumption made pos
s.ble by improved and cheaper methods of
transportation, killing and selling of meat
products. Our general improvement in
business conditions and a revival Of the in
dustries will inevitably Largely increase the
consumption of animal foods in all FORMS
Every condition, with the few exceptions
to be mentioned, would be favorable to a
steady increase instead of the steady de-
crease which has taken place. If during
the last six years live stock had increased
with the same rate that 1t did in the twenty
years before, We would now have the fol.
lowing numbers on hand: Cattle, 81, COO 600;
hogs, 62000,C00; sheep, $4,000, 900.
The comparison of these numbers with
what We actually have shows the true con-
dition of cattle. If similar condition could
be shown in wheat prices would rise to
three times the prices of 1892. So it would
In any staple article If such conditions
could be possible. Cattle have, however,
made a material increase over the 1892
prices and SO have sheep, but hogs have
fallen about per cent in value.
In connection with the conduct of this in
dustry should be considered the increase in
our exports of cattle and fresh meats within
the same period. These, while moderate,
have been marked, and the bulk of our
supply goes to Great Britain. The follow
ing abbreviated table will suffice for COM
Parsons year with year:
1893. 1896. 1897
Live cattle 49,. S2S7, 900 1872 900 1892 900
l Onn
In the matter of competition, South Amer
lean countries are our principal rivals. The
exports of live stock products last year from
Argentine were $55 100000; those from the
United States, s1SS, 600 000. But the cost Of
transportation to England from Argentina Is
much greater than from the United States
to British ports. We have a competition in
Australia In mutton, but her product must
go forward substantially frozen, while ours
has the advantage of greater freshness and
consequent sweetness.
The Iowa Homestead, referring to the ex-
pressed fear of over production of cattle, SAYS:
In spite of the acknowledged shortage of
cattle of all kinds and the very attractive
prices which really good pure bred cattle
now command, we occasionally hear some
. .tlMlQ soul express apprehension that the
breeding OF improved breeds will be over
DONE Not infrequently do We meet some
one VINO is thinking of going into the breed
ing business, of buying a few good ami
mails with which to start little herd that
snail grow into larger one, but who holds
pack for reasons which he expresses in
some such way as this: We'll / wouldn't
mind paying the price that some good
things would cost to start with, If l were
sure that the business would not be over
done, but there are so many buying that
am afraid" More money is lost by
by fire, flood and sword More men fail
because they lack the decision of char
acter that is required to seize opportunity
by the forelock than from any other cause.
II there is any business calling, or any
branch of the agricultural or live stock in
dustry that is not exposed to the danger
of being overdone, the reader may rest
assured that it is only because there is
so little promise of profit in 1t that no one
is tempted to engage in it. Any business
that affords prospects of profit is attrac-
with the result, in many cases, that sup
ply after while outruns demand and there
is pause in its prosperity until demand
catches up. But II this is a good reason
business. or for refusing to buy a few
good ones whose get will grow into money
then it is, good reason for keeping out
of every business or branch of business
that promises to be profitable and for engag-
ing only in those things that are utterly
hopeless of profit; The man who makes
this argument and who desires to be con-
sistent, should look around and inquire
What is there in sight that 1 can 20 into
which is not at all likely to, pay?''' Any
bility of ups and downs, but the man who
having taste for the business, engages
In 1t with the. determination to stay with
1t through good and evil, report almost in
variably wins, while the ''price-chaser"
never does except as a mere scratch"
Pure bred cattle have only recently had
their period of depression. Those who
orally at loss, but those who stuck to
their BUSH made money and have no
kick coming 1t will be so always and In
all things. Tenacty of purpose will win,
and those who lack it will lose, other things
being equal.
The above statements go to show that fol
the present and for some time to come there
is no danger to be apprehended from ovel
production. 1t is clearly to the interest Of
Minnesota farmers at this season of the veal
to seize the opportunity presented to them
and establish, in a small way ate first, per.
haps, good herds of improved stock Among
the larger cattle growers of the Southwest
the advent of has interfered with the
industry by causing a stringency in money
loans for their use. But this will operate tc
the advantage of the smaller farmer of the
Northwest, who takes advantage of both the
season and the condition of the times to in.
crease his stock and apply his own industry
to their preparation for tho market.
In regard to the provision market and thu
condition of the boot and shoe trade, R. S
Dun & Co., in their weekly review, have thi,
tc say:
Provisons-The failure of meats to ioin
IN the advance of grain and other products
has been attributed to speculative manipu-
lation by packers, but on Wednesday the
controlling influence. whatever 1t was, sud-
denly vanished and prices doomed fast
enough to make UP for lost time Ship
ping orders continue large, and considerable
quantities were taken at the advanced
prices, especially for Cuba. Live beef and