Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1913-06-06
LITTLE HOPE FOR CHEAPER MEAT.

ST~HE United States Department OF Agriculture has
issued an interesting bulletin on the live stock
and meat situation. It that the shortage in the
supply OF neatproducing animals in the United states
is becoming pronounced steadily and that our
country Is facing OF short production Of meat
Il Is shown BY the bulletin that there has been de-
cline Of thirty per cent in the last six years IN the
number Of beef cattle IA this country Meantime the
population and the consequent demand for meat have
Increased Estimates OF the Department Of Agricui-
show that the cattle in this country on Jsnu.
airy T. 1917 numbered 5i666OOo while az the beginning
Of 1918 the number had dwindied 10 s6,o50,0oo
The bulletin shoVB that in the nrst three months
Of 1918 there we're material decreases In the num-
Der Of cattle calves hogs and sheep killed under Gov
eminent inspection. The total OF those decreases was
2,os5,173 animals, compared with the first three
months In 1912. divided as follows; Cattle lss2s9
calves 59475i hogs. i,2636e7s sheep. 60e742 II is
asserted that 1912 year of high prices for all
classes Of food animals is evidenced by the greatly
increased prices Of live stock &c Chicago the
representative market OF the country. Thus, the
age prizes Of cattle native steers for 1912 was ST.
against $3.50 for 1911 OF increase Of s25l per
cent whfe the advance IN steers still
greater. being S15s per cent The average price of
hogs IN 1912 at the market 1885, as against
500 for 1911 which IS an increase OF 1868 per
Similarly the average prices OF sheep and lambs
from 1895 and $500, respectively. IN 1871 $455 and
$40, respectivel. IN 1912 which is an Increase of
1913 per cent. for sheep and 2034 per lambs
Unfortunately. when prices OF live stock rule high
the in 1910. there IS natural tendency for
farmers to rush everything saabie TO market inciud
ing animals and. worst OF al. breeding ami
mails. This inevitably brings about future shortage
and the country suffers from alternate periods OF
comparative real stringenov while producers
lose heavily through the instability OF prices.
With our diminished production IN the face of the
heavy demand and high prices OF the home market
no longer have surplus for export. and Il is
der that our export trade in meat animals pro-
ducts has declined heavily Our trade with
England in cattle and beef has disappeared and
J the only considerable items now shipped to foreign
markets are prepared hog products such as bacon.
hams and lard England is drawing It's imported
supply mostly from Argentina and ifs supply Of
mutton and lamb from Australia and New Zealand as
well az Argentina. The Australian colonies sheep
rather than countries and probably more
than four times as much mutton and iams. By veist
as beef The number Of cattle In Argentina showed
decrease at the last census. 1911 compared with
the preceding one. 1908
For the first time in our history the exports Of ami
mails and animal products OF all kinds in 1919 fell
below the imports IN yaire However. the imports are
very large only in items. both Of them raw
ducts-hides and wool. The former admitted
free OF duty while the large importsions Of wool we're
made notwithstanding considerable duty. The inn
I port trade in hides and skins has assumed enormous
proportions the total value OF the shipments in 1919
being considerably over siooooooO0 The total value
OF the imports Of animal origin in 1912 ssoSff6ss
Compared With the previous this is an increase
in round figures. Of no lees than sse6ooo0o,
Such facts aud figures the above will be far from
comforting 80 the millions Of Americans "bo have
been hoping for cheaper meat,