Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-08
SOUTHERN BEEF PRODUCTION.

The United States census Of 1900 revealed
the astonishing information that in the
production Of pork Georgia showed a
larger percentage Of increase as COM
pared with the census returns Of 1880. than
any Off, state in the Union. This was
astonishing 20 many OF our people because
Il had been held by many agricultural
writers that the farmers Of Georgia In
particular. and OF the south generally, stin
had their smokehouses and corn cribs In
The west But Il must be patent TO the
mind OF every man who has made himself
familiar with the situation OF southern ag-
rieulture during the past few years. that
southern farmers are making rapid strides
along the lines OF diversified farming. and
are beginning TO pay considerable atten-
ton 10 the production OF livestock, not
only for home use but for the general
market II Is quite evident that the high
prices which have for several years pre-
vailed for beef. mutton and pork, coupled
with q corresponding low price for cotton.
has had much TO do with bringing about
these desirable changes That continued
progress along these lines viii greatly In
ure 20 the rapid development Of successful
agriculture IN the south. there can be no
question OF doubt. The south Is beginning
% recognize the absolute importance OF
making her territory self sustaining and
70 appreciate her superior climatic and
soil conditions fer the production OF pork,
beef and mutton
Range Cattle.
The range territory OF the west and
northwest Is being rapidly restricted by
Increased homesteads. and the annual cut
ting up of large tracts OF lands into small
farms. During my visit 70 the far north
vest last fan made careful Investigation
into the cattle range territory, and found
tha- il was growing smaller each year.
and that nearly an OF the present avail
81 IN large tracts or leased by wealthy
corporations. thereby absorbing and tax
ing out OF the hands OF the small stock
producer the beef and mutton industry Of
the country in Sc ia az range cattle was
concerned.
With the gradual absorption OF the cat
tie range BY small farmers Il Is quite evil
dent that the stock production OF the fu-
fure must be kept up b. the small farmer.
This being true. the south offers induce
ments which are superior 20 any other
section OF the country from every stand
point. and viii enable southern farmers
70 successfully compete for business IN the
food markets OF the world SO long as
acres OF the rich prairie lands OF the west
we're open and thousands OF herds OF cat
lie and sheep could be grazed. on prairie
grass With but little cost 10 their owners.
the price OF beef and mutton was held
down 10 a figure which was not inviting
70 It's production in less favored localities.
But the L. s. Government has opened
these vast areas OF land 10. homesteaders,
and they have gone upon the prairies by
the thousand within recent years. Up 10
fse1 there was an annual increase in the
production OF beef. mutton and pork.
which being fully ample 10 supply the
market demands. kept prices down TO a
minimum. Since that time. however. by
the gradual absorption OF the range by
small homesteaders. limiting the territory
Tor grazing. the production OF livestock
has correspondingiy decreased until now
We are behind about z7.0oo.ooQ hear as COM
pared with the number we had on hand in
iss1
This IL a tremendous falling OF IN view
o. the rapid increase OF population in this
country, since that time. and the broaden
ing o. our export markets in different
PARTS OF the world. Production must keep
apace with consumption. The shortening
OF the supply has advanced the price OF
cattle and sheep on the hoof. until unus-
ually high prices prevail at this time.
The small farmer is not 50 materially
benefited. because those large corpora
: tions which systematically set about Sc
curing control Of the open range lands
some years ago. are producing the bulk
OF the cattle and are thereby receiving
the splendid profits on their investments.
Estimates in Beef Production.
II IS nov admitted by all students OF
the situation that the price Of beef. pork
and mutton VIII continue 20 command high
prices on the hoof for the next FIVE years.
no matter what strenuous efforts are
made 70 increase the supply. Indeed IL
may safely be asserted that the demand
OF the future viii keep apace with the
supply. owing 10 the rapid increase in our