The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-05-11

dependent gave expression to some views
which should be of the utmost interest ana
Importance to Minnesota farmers. Every
one who has. in recent years, turned his at
tention to the possibilities of Minnesota in
the line of the growth of live stock, must
occasionally have experienced a sense OF
fretfulness and irritation in view of the in
difference of farmers in this state to an in
dustry for the promotion of which the geo.
graphical and climatic conditions Of this sec
ton afford so splendid opportunities.
At the height of the cattle-raising indus
try during the period of the early SOS. there
was, perhaps, little encouragement to the
small farmer of the newer Northwestern
states and territories to undertake to raise
cattle for market in competition with tho
great cattlemen and organizations of the West
and Southwest, who controlled vast ranches
and derived big profits at prices which those
who had carefully nursed their small herds
could not afford to sell their stock with any
expectation of an adequate return for time,
labor and produce involved. In those days
Of cattle barons it is known that upwards
of $14. 000, 900 were invested in ranges and
cattle in the different sections referred to-.
The returns carried with them from 10 to
10 per cent per annum on the sums invested,
and some were known to have realized as
much as 80 per cent. 1t was not until the
in 1890 the price for the best steers shrank
to 500 per head. The Southwest was, dur
ing that period the section which suffered
the most It has been stated, statistically,
that the decline in the value of cattle in
Arizona alone in the year 1891 exceeded $780,,
600. Many cattlemen failed wholly or re-
tired from the business, because of the lack
of profit associated with its conduct.
The depletion of herds has been most
marked since 1892. Everything was closely
sold off last fall, especially in the Montana
and the Dakota ranges, on account of the
shortage of the grasses there. There is now
great difficulty experienced in stocking the
ranges Furthermore, the growth of the
sheep industry in those states has had the
effect of interfering materially with the feed
ing of cattle on the open ranges, because
where the sheep have previously graZed lit
tie nutriment remains for the herds that
cesne after
Breeding on these ranges has not proved
q success, and more southern sections have
come to be relied on for young animals for
. grazing. The country, too, is becoming in
terspersed with ranches thus preventing the
use of the open range as heretofore. Never
theless, Montana is an ideal cattle growing
country; and those who live there appreciate
the fact. The people are looking forward to
Industry is to be carried on, but they do
not deprecate the advent of the pending
change. This change consists of the estab-
lishment of ranches of varying areas, but
these will admit of better breeding and care
of animals. The herds will be comparatively
small, but the population of the state will be
enlarged by the increased settlements and
the better care that the smaller ranchmen
will be able to bestow upon their stock will
prevent losses which hitherto have been so
frequent there, owing to occasional vista
tons of severe winter weather. writer ON
this subject approximately remarks that the
Eastern feeder, into whose hands SO much
OF this stock passes in the early autumn
months for preparation for market during the
winter season, will have reason to rejoice be-
cause the animals bought upon the smaller
ranches will not be SO untamed as those
which have enjoyed the freedom of the open
range, and, as a consequence, they can be
led to better advantage when confined to the
feed lot or the stable.
In this connection the fact is pointed to
that great demand exists for these public
and railway lands at the present time. The
Northern Pacific land department is be-
sleged with applications for lands in tracts
OF moderate area. The announcement is
made, also, that in Dakota and Montana. the
bulk of these purchases are made by parties
whose purpose it is tc cultivate live stock on
the ranch plan. This question: says the
Helena Independent, lis full of interest to
Minnesota 1t is from these ranches that sup
plies of stockers are to be drawn in the tut
ure, in addition to those that will be raised
upon our farms. Unquestionably Minnesota
is destined to become one of the greatest
feeding states in America, hence the growing
of supplies of feeders should be full of inter-
ost to our people,
To Minnesota farmers the above ought to
be interesting as an evidence of the estimate
which our neighbors place upon the resources
OF the state in the direction of caring for
and feeding live stock
3 Referring to the convention of ranchmen at
Miles City, last month, the independent fur
Their says:
The markets for live stock were discussed
freely at the convention. Gen. Flower pre
sented the claims of South st. Paul in a
very able manner. He stated that South ST
Paui was now In position to take care of
1,5OO head of cattle per day. This would
mean 469,5OO head year. And the capacity
of the plant was more likely to increa co
than decrease. This should be good news
to the Minnesota farmer, as 1t is to him
matter, OF much Importance that his own
~'ate shai Hisu d urSt-claSS market. The
representative from Omaha spoke of the
great growth of the business at the South
Omaha yards. He said the day had gone
q by when Chicago would get all the trade.
In his opinion that trade would be cut off
more and more by the growing live stock
markets further west. In answer to a
question he said that nearly ali the live
stock sent down to Omaha in the lean form
was furnished by the farmers After they
fattend them they shipped them back
again. That state of matters, in the judg-
lnent of the writer, is just as it ought to
he In Minnesota. Nebraska may talk about
her corn, but Minnesota has corn and barley
ana oilcake She Is magnificently situated
Ior the fattenlng OF these cattle. Will not
our farmers show themselves equal to the
occasion? Cattle will be grown forever on
the ranges. Here there is an important
industry, which, when once established.
should flourish through all time If its
value was understood as 1t ought to be-
u would prevail extensively in all Minnesota
from the advent of 1899.
me above comment Is worthy of sincere
consideration by every intelligent farmer In
Minnesota. ~
BOOTS AND SHOES.
Dun's Review of last week saws Regarding
TIE boot and shoe trade: oine
sharp change is seen in Increase NJ ,r
steIs. demands for speedy delivery. and adj
MISSIONS that distribution to consumers 10
seTceeolngiy brisk. In mems heavy shoes
- en- WI t hs are BUSY with orders, especially
from the SOUTH and the work includes enc
order Tor 10000 pairs In women,s sb yae
mose works have orders until September
R'hd one hrm sold during the week sOo
gases OF th;rty-six pairs. In women's lishf
SHOES one house sold Of grain 1890 cases Vf
'@issy-siX 10 sixty pairs during the week.