The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-05-25
The Conditions In Trans-MissOuri
States-Prices Compared with
One Year ASO-Relief In Further
Hardening of Values-The Da-
kotas and Nebraska, However,
Are Fairly Well Supplied.
MARKET SUMMARY.
FINANCIAL.

One of the most interesting subjects dis
cussed daily among live stock dealers, is the
outcome of next seasons offerings of range
cattle. The scarcity of stock OF this class
was recognized before the close of last
seasons shipments. 1t has naturally been a
difficult task to collect accurate information
on this point because of the vast area OF ter
lritory covered by this industry. The Orange
Judd Farmer has, however just completed
an elaborate investigation of the subjec. The
conclusions reached to the effect that
the number of cattle N the Missouri
sections is even smaller than has been sup
posed. Some Of the most prominent localities
in Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon
report from one-Quarter to one-tnird fewer
cattle on the ranges than a year previous.
The Dakotas and Nebraska, together with
portions of Kansas, are, however, said to be
possessed of a fair supply when the animals
on the ranges and on the feed ot5 are counted
Jointly.
1t is also stated in connection with this
general inquiry that the cost of range Gait e
is considerably higher, as compared with the
early months of 1897. 1t is shown that Pa
cifc coast ranchmen and many in Nevada and
Arizona paid for 2-year-olds and locg year
lings from S. to $40 per head more than a
year ago, while in Wyoming, Montana and
Idaho the advance is from 20 to 80 per cent,
as compared with the prices of a little more
than year ago. In New Mexico and Texas
the increase IS from 10 to 90 per cent. In
these two sections there is decidedly TN
equal distribution, and a considerable slort-
age is indicated by the returns from T Xas.
Colorado is reasonably well stocked.
In the main the stock in all sections Is
well conditioned, and this is true Ct sheep as
well as of cattle. This fact is attributed to
the mldness of the past winter and the alb
sence of severe storms and low temperature
in localities where such weather conditions
ordinarily prevail, causing much suffering,
as well as consequent loss among herds and
focks.
The generally accepted theory is that a
further hardening of prices will be exper-
fenced when the movement from the ranges
begins in August. Meanwhile the animals
being supplied from the feed lots, are ex-
pected to keep the market steady, with only
the customary fluctuations resulting from the
volume of the daily receipts as measured by
the consuming demand at the time of ar
rival in the yards.
The Iowa Homestead calls attention to the
desirability of shade in connection with the
pasturing of live stock. This fact recalls,
once more, to mind, the natural advantages
possessed by Minnesota in this respect. Time
and again al.usion is made to the Importance
of standing timber to the growing Ct cat
tie and sheep for protection from both heat
and cold. The farmers of this state, or the
large majority of them, are not put to the ne
cessity of providing pasture by planting trees
in their grazing areas, ard waiting for them
to grow, as is the case in the Dakotas. for
instance. In such localities, the Homestead
recommends the selection CT the box elder as
the most approved species and one which can
mere readily stand the rough usage that
young trees must necessarily undergo, but
one which, when fully grown, supplies an ex-
cellent mass of foliage and an abundance Of
shade.