Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1910-10-06
PAPER BY JAMES ]. HILL
AT THE PORTLAND FAIR
THE FOLLOWING INTERESTING ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN
+ BY The RAILROAD KING AND READ AT The
PORTLAND FAIR AND STOCK SHOW

The raising of live stock has q
twofold relation to the food supply
of any country. Directly, it fur
nishes the meat diet; and indirectly
as the most valuable of all aids to
the cultivation of the soil and the
growing of crops, it helps to fur
nish the bread diet. The interests
which you represent may, there
fore, be said to act doubly upon
the agriculture of the country and
contribute twice to its welfare.
Since people learn mostly by
the pressure of some need, the
sharp rise in price of all kinds of
meats has turned attention to the
state of live stock interest. Re-
tail prices in some cases double
<<hat they we're few years ago
stimulate inquiry. Investigation
shows that live stock production
has rot kept pace with the demand
upon it.
The receipts of all kinds of live
stock at the Chicago stock yards
for the year 1909 we're 1,544, 1897
less than in 1908, although the
total valuation increased over 49,
100000. The receipts Of hogs at
thirteen principal markets in the
United States were 5,586,312 less
in 1909 than in 1908 The total
namber of cattle in the country
has declined 5000, 900 in the last
three years, and of hogs 100, 600.
Necessarily prices have gone up.
The breakfast table of the rich and
the dinner pail of the poor are
both affected. As one would ex-
pect from these figures, native beef
cattle and western range cattle sold
for the highest prices on record In
the Chicago market in 1909. Hogs
brought the highest figure received
flor twenty-seven years. Increase
of population, changes in agrlcul-
ture, draft of population cityward,
all have helped to restrict produc-
tion and to add to price. Even
where numbers are not reduced, as
in the case of horses, which are
more numerous thaa ever in this
country, the proper production has
not been maintained. For in spite
of the lessening demand for the
horse. due to the trolly and auto
mobile, and although the total
number has increased by a million
and a quarter in the last three
wears. the average price in the
United States last year was also
the highest ever recorded.
These are a few of the facts
Nearing on the direct relation of
the live stock interest to popula-
ton, prices and the general vel
fare. As our population increases
by anywhere from 1,50o, 900 to
2,5oo,000 per annum, and practlc-
ally every person is meat-eater,
it follows that when the number
of the principal food animals either
remains stationary or begins to de-
cline, the cost of living rises and
the pinch begins. Not even the
extraordinary prices paid for live
stock have thus far been able to
raise production to the level OF
demand.
The indirect relation is OF still
more consequence to the country.
Before railroad transportation was
Generally at the service of the peo-
nle, raising live stock was the only
means of getting crop to market.
~ hon} from the frontier farm
r. the nearest point of shipment
and the freight rate would amount
to more than the grain would
bring. Crops had to grow feet
and walk. Now the railroad every