The Pacific commercial advertiser., 1903-12-24

tne large gain IN average value or
46 7-10 per cent. This falling off in
numbers is largely due TO the coun-
try's general prosperity since 1898 with
its Increased consumption of meat, re-
suiting in a corresponding reduction in
the number of beef cattle thus causing
the production of beef to fall behind
the consumption and resulting in the
advance of prices which began in 1889.
That considerable part of the in
crease in the values as shown in the
foregoing comparison is due to the in
PRODUCTION of pure blooded-cattle may
be inferred from the fact that the
greatest increase in average prices has
been in regions paying most attention
to stock improvement and the least in
those where practically no considera-
ton has been given to the subject.
l have been a long time in coming
to the main point OF my subject, but it
has also been a slow gradual evolu-
ton that has brought the cattle breed
er to position where he began to rec
ognize the herd as the foundation OF
his business and the sire as half the
herd.
MODERN AIMS AND METHODS.
The objects uppermost in the mind
of the up-to-date breeder whether he
produce horses, dairy cows, beef cat
| tie, mutton, wool or swine, is the econo-
nical production of quality and quanti-
ty; in order that he may realize this to
| the fullest extent two factors must es-
pecially be taken into account. One is
the adaptability of the animal under
consideration-the individual and breed
characteristics--the other is the amount
and kind of food fed.
] The best authorities are agreed that
| sblood and feed will tell'' and for de-
| tailed consideration let us take up beef
cattle for which the final test has been
worked out to nicely, namely, their
market classification, which I find in
our local market still quite crude. You
should both assist and insist on rat
| ings of definite market classes and
grades now that your cattle begin to
show that quality which can come only
| from skillful handling and favorable
conditions. Such recognition cannot
but help result to the mutual benefit
of all concerned.
| As established in modern practice in
| the large cattle centers cattle are now
divided into the following classes. beef,
butcher stock. cutters and Gamers,
veal calves and stcckers and feeders.
The grades are: prime, choice, good,
medium, common and inferior. The
various classes indicate the uses to
which the cattle are put; the grades
refer to quality, condition, and con-
| formation; the relative Importance of
which factors so far as they influence
market values, is indicated by the or
| der in which they have been given,
quality being of greatest Importance,
condition next and conformation of
| least Importance, this latter condition
at least giving the breeder leeway in
| the choice of breeds and therefore
largely location as well.
Weight has relatively but small in
huence in determining the grade and
| price of fat cattle Quality and con-
dition largely govern both.
AS a basis for comparison and study
of other grades the breeder should
early become familiar with the charac-
teristics of prime steers and choice
feeders, though as yet I understand
little or nothing has been done in the
way of stall feeding. These however
are standard grades elsewhere and that
supply 1 am certain. In other markets
f1uctuation affects these grades less than
others-a very important considera-
ton. When once established it viii
be a good plan when practicable to fol-
low your consignment to the market
and learn the desirable and objection
able points about your cattle from the
! standpoint Of the market.
Do you wish to consider possible ex-
port? I do not think you will need to
do so for yet a while. but If so. then
let me add that the most desirable
steer for export, for shipping, and for
the best grade of dressed beef, either
for domestic or foreign trade, is the
same in each instance But the best
grade Of any class OF cattle must be
practically above criticism. This is a
goal worth striving for. and 1 believe
possible of attainment by the earnest
Hawaiian breeder. When he has done
so his beeves will command a premium
while the scrub will go begging. 1t is
the kind of business I should care to
enter.
What has been said of beef cattle is
equally and even more applicable TO
dairy stock, since in the latter we have
the proof in daily returns, besides IL
anything dairying has become the most
intensified branch Of animal husbandry.
No more wonderful advancement has
been made along agricultural lines