The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-02
GOD REPORTS FROM RANGES
PLENTY OF GRASS HAS PUT
$780,. 49,
CATTLE IN GOOD CONDITION


southwest-suppIies From the
Northwest Expected to Re More
Scnnty-Enects of DrOuth in
California and Parts of Oregon.
Recent visitors TO the Western ranges re-
port cattle there in an excellent cond .tion;
and ii is expected that shipments will begin
much earlier this year than last, or, indeed
than for several years last past. Rains have
been general throughout the grazing country,
the grass is consequently abundant and
upon these acres of fat-making pastures the
cattle will be early turned. while in certain
sections, consisting of valleys extending be-
tween the mountain chains. the pastures are
so rich where the cattle already ranging
that they will be In excellent condition for
through shipment to market without any in
tervening pauses for topping off,
The states of Colorado and Utah, It is said,
will forward to the markets considerably more
cattle this season than last. The lowest es-
innate of this excess is stated at 10 600 head
while the maximum is given at from - geo
TO 1900 head, although the last mentioned
number is generally regarded an exaggera-
ton. But Colorado and Utah do not afford
a true index to the conditions existing else
where. The general scarcity of cattle, Of
which so much has been heard during the
entire season. assuredly exists. This is I'M
doubtedly true in western and southwestern
Colorado, as well as throughout Arizona, New
Mexico ana Texas. Kansas reported dc
cided falling off in the shipment into that
state from tributary territory. Some compu-
tations place this shrinkage in importations
as high as two-thirds since May l, COM
pared with the corresponding period in former
years. This shrinkage, however. applies more
directly to feeders. Older stock has been
coming forward with little comparative
change in numbers. While scarcity doubt
less has much to do with this condition, there
IS reason in the theory that the superlative
pastures, especially In the Indian territory
and also in Texas, as the result of unusual
moisture and consequent plentitude of grasses,
combined with the high price of corn, has
led to the retention of herds on the grazing
acres instead of their earlier movement to
other localities for topping off for the mar
let.
The ranges In both Montana and the Da-
Dakotas are c.assed among those with have
been particularly favored by general growth
of rich grass. But in these sections an IN
questionable shortage exists II all the state
ments which have been forthcoming from
source during the past six months are
thy Of credence. The announcement has
SIdl dpptdf6d lIldl lie II te II
tory has within its area 100 0G0 more head
of cattle this year than last This may be
true, but it probably will appear later that
the figures are largely exaggerated. But II
It Is true. this excess is at the cost OF cor
responding shrinkage in the Northwest. Last
year the cattement secured the Soutaw st
pretty thoroughly for young stock and with
by no means satisfactory results. The graz
ing lands of the Northwest have this season
h.rr,
and sufficient to provide for many thousands
of cattle more than could be found to feed
upon 1t.
Conditions in California however, have
Teen singuarly different from those prevail
ing in other sections of the country. While
Idaho Wyoming, Nevada, portions OF Oregon,
and, in fact, all the Western country have
enjoyed the best of growing weather and
the season has been particularly favorable to
the live stock industry. Southern California
and small section of Western Oregon have
suffered from severe drouth, followed by
some of its evil consequences. Among these
is the development of the tick, which may
have the effect of requiring the establishment
of quarantine against the importation of cat
tie from those localities into neighborIng
states under the apprehension that they will
be liable to spread splenic fever among other
herds. III such rule should be enforced the
fear Is expressed that many cattle must inc
vitably die in direct consequence Of the
dIouth. "Reminiscences are being made by
cattiemen and arguments offered to convince
the authorities that the disease Is not of
kind that will develop any other ailment, but
the latter are indisposed to take any chances
and the probabilities are that the quarantine
viii be maintained
The movement of ranch cattle is expected
to begin unusually early this season, owing
TO the favorable conditions existing for fat
tening. BY the middle of this month the
first installments may be expected to arrive
IN this market