Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-01

Mules........ 3t459.5s2 $3.50 1S5, 295, PIP
o oslsh cattle; 5i,5ls.sse a.ss l.s ssssss.Sss
Sheep ........ Sl.t45. 3a5 2.93 lsO.620, So2
Hogs ........ 65.1ia.3 68 1.5s 2sS. 22s,ss3
Goats...... 1-sgAa9i 2ss s,sss' os
Total. .2asl21.7s7 ss.4Ss.ssl ,ses
This stuperdous sum exceeds the
total combined value of the products
of all the fields, forests and mines of the
nation for the preceding year.
In reality the total value of the ma
TONS livestock is considerably greater
than the aggregate above shown. owing
to advances in prices and to the fact
that the prices given are the estimated
values on farms of farm animals only,
the animals iii cities and own being
considered much higher in value. How
ever, the figures given are sufficient for
all practical purposes until the actual
official valuation is ready, and convey
to any thoughtful business man a pref
ty clear idea of the extent and meaning
of that great industry which furnishes
the world with food, clothing, power
and many other daily necessaries of
life.
It is safe to say that the present val
ne of the livestock of the United States
is approximately $4,000. 600, 00o-a sum
almost too vast for comprehension
The most gratifying year in the his
tory Of the livestock has dawn to a
close. There has been a strong, steady
demand for meats. both at home and
abroad. and interest has steadily in
creased in livestock production. The
present situation is a most healthy and
but interest In the industry and in it's
Improvement has been fostered and
encouraged by better market prices n
by numerous expositions, where the
best bred stock of all kinds has been
placed side by side for comparison and
study. thus educating the eye and mind
of the producer as never before, and
inducing him to strive for higher ex-
cellence.
All this is laying a solid foundation
for still greater prosperity in the fu-
ture. Higher excellence means better
prices and more widespread distribu-
ton OF products.
A feature of the years cattle business
was Notwithstanding receipts of natives
and the light,st yearly average weight
on record. caused by the forcing to
market of 50 nan short-fed and half
finished steers All yer the country
feeders sacrificed their stock to ave
corn. In somse sections farmers abso-
lutely refused to sell corn at any Price;
consequently feeders in some In
stances had "a, choice In the matter and
We're obliged to dispose Of their stock.
It certainly looks Is tho the supplies
will be decidedly short before the end of
1902, and, of course, prices. it is gener
ally conceded. will go very high If there
is a material Increase In the demand.
During the week of the International
livestock show at Chicago several loads
of show cattle sold at $9@a.30, with a
load of Texas bred prize winners at $12.
Barring December prices, the top for
1901 was $7.25, with the average for ma
tive beef cattle for the year 1928,
against $5.15 in 1900. $3.50 in 1899. and
$4.65 in 1898. The average for 1901, bar
ring 1899, was the highest since 1885.
Texas cattle held UP we'll, and western
rangers averaged 20 cents higher, or
$4.55 for 1901, against $4.35 In 1900.
Since the partial failure Of the corn
In July large numbers of light weight
hogs have been forced on the market,
and the result has been the widest
range in prices in nan years. As the
year winds up, it is only too evident
that this indiscriminate sacrificing of
interest, and next years prices may be
the highest in many years.
The year 1901 has been remarkable for
wild fluctuations. January started with
hogs at the low point, packing droves
being bought in the vicinity Of SIS.
Prices gradually advanced until Sep
tensber, when $7.371lk was reached. This
proved to be the "high-water mark"
also the highest price since May,
1893, when $3.50 was paid. From this
high notch in September prices receded
until November, when sales were in the
of $3.50. The close of the year
shows another strong advancing mar
ket, top hogs reaching s6.75, and with
one or two exceptions this price is the
for nlidwinter that Chicago has
seen.
While it is almost certain that hog
receipts at the Chicago markets for
1902 will fall fully 1000, 900 short Of the
total receipts for 1901, the decrease will
be thru any fault Of the hog raiser
or lack of bright prospects in future
The old-time packer who killed for the
market has been supplant-
ed by the aggressive fresh-meat packer,
who is working on a legitimate fresh
meat demand at all times, and the
packing industry of the present time is
nearer perfection with its labor-saving
than it has ever been.
Lower prices for sheep as campareh
with recent years have resulted from
the marketing of 1910. 900 head the last
year, being 474, 900 larger than 1900, and
35S, 800 more than the previous banner
total OF 1899. The top price for sheep
was $5.25, against $3.50 in 1900, and for
lambs, 1925, against $7.55 the year be-
fore. The average price for natives was
1916. and for sheep and yearlings was
IS cents lower. and. native and western
ambs $1.10 lower than 1900.
Chief among the depressing features, |