Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1909-09-24
THE CATTLE BUSINESS.
SECRETARY WILSON'S REPORT SHOW
IMMENSE DECREASE IN 2 YEARS.

SECRETARY WILSON'S REPORT SHOWS
IMMENSE DECREASE IN 2 YEARS.
Washington, Sept. 2O.-In forth
coming report, James Wilson, secretary
of agriculture, will call the attention Of
congress and the country in graphic
way to some startling conditions in the
beet trade In the United States. The
fact that there has been decrease OF
2, 1877, 900 in the mum Der of cattle in this
country in the last two years, and that
the exports of cattle have dropped of
nearly 100, 900 in the last eight of nine
months, is giving the department of
agriculture great deal of concern.
The price of beef has gone steadily
higher in the United States, while it
appears to have remained at fairly
reasonably standard abroad. Last year,
for the first time in history, the ship
ments of South American beef into
England exceeded the shipments from
America.
The European market for that pro-
duct is said to be growing by leaps and
bounds.
APPRIZED OF COMING INVASION.
Although the secretary of agriculture
will probably make no reference in his
report to the rumors that persons inter
ested in cattle raising in Uruguay and
Aregtina are preparing to invade the
American markets with frozen beef, he
undoubtedly has been apprized of them
and may have some views to express
concerning such trade innovation later.
For the present it can be said that
the department of agriculture is well
cogniZant of the state of affairs existing
on the cattle ranges in this country,
and proposes at least to open up the
subject for discussion before the beef
prices climb out of sight.
The decline in the beef exports, the
bureau of animal industry thinks, is
due to economic conditions at home,
coupled with the increase supplies in
the English markets from other sour
ces, GRIZZLY Aregtlna. The fmdament-
al cause it is thought, is the shortage
in our own supply of beef cattle, with
the resulting high prices Of beef in the
home markets.
FOREST RESERVATIONS BLAMED.
Restrictions on the rage and the high
prices in the feeding districts are as
signed as the chief cause of the big cat
tie shortage.
The free public range now is limit
ed affair, owing to the extent of the
forest reservations and the grazing
regulations imposed by their manage
ment.
Hay for winter range feeding is ex-
pensive, and in the grazing grounds of
the Middle West the stock raiser now
is paying from Sc to 81 cents for corn
which two years ago cost him from 80
to &c cents.
The report of the secretary Of agricul-
ture will show decrease of $40, Zoo, 900
in the cattle business in the two years
of 1907 and 1908.
1t has been ascertained by the depart
ment that the price of beef at Chicago
rose preceptibly in 1908, the prices of
meat produced by the small animals,
such as hogs and sheep, has changed |
little.
BEEF GOING STILL HIGHER.
s. HI. Cowan, attorney for the Nation
al Stock Growers Association, who is
in Washington, says the price of beef
probably is going higher and that stock
raisers simply have not the supply of
cattle they maintained formerly.
MI. Cowan asserts that there is a
shortage of million head at the stock
yards this year, as compared with the
shipment of year ago.