Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1913-10-31

market for animals in small num-
bers
II IS useless to expect the farmers
to become interested in live stock
production until there is ready
market. AT present the most funda.
mental factor in profitable meat pro.
duction is the cost OF pasturage and
feed, The ranges OF the west are
falling Of In meat production because
their areas are decreasing. The farm.
ing sections have more surplus feed
than the ranges, but they have not
the pastures, II this falling of In
the range paslurage we're replaced by
pasturage OF better quality on the
farms, and ir suitable markets for
the farms we're created, It is reason.
able to conclude. It Is declared, that
the normal production OF live stock
would be restored. That win depend
very largely upon the cost OF the farm
pastures, continue the experts,
While admitting that the solution
Of the meat problem lies with the
small farmer. the department experts
declare that he is doing little 60 I'M
prove his pasturage Il will be quite
expensive at first. but after the first
expense the cost Of maintenance.
they declare, will be almost negligi-
bic. Little is known as to the best
methods OF improving these waste
lands. There are declared 20 be many
difficult problems involved. as for ex-
ample. how best 10 remove or de
stroy the brush what is the best
treatment Of the soil for grass. the
best mixtures OF grass for certain
conditions OF soil and climate, the
best systems OF grazing the hest way
to prevent the growth of weeds, etc
These and similar problems must
be solved for each locality. and In
but few places have they received
much attention. A large amount Of
information is needed but little is
declared to be available since but
few Investigations IN this line have
been made. As to the possibility OF
converting very large per cent Of
these waste lands into permanent
pastures there is little doubt; but
as to the cost OF doing It little is
known, according to the Department
OF Agriculture.
Pastures a Necessity.
However that may be, the estah.
llshment OF these pastures seems to
be a necessity IN order TO put the live
stock Of this country on sound basis.
/ The farms Of this country are declared
to have almost Unlimited possibilities
| for livestock production. II the farm
ers can be shown how to get ready
market for 1t when # is produced
they will furnish ali the meat that Is
needed.
/ Taking up the question OF the high
cost Of meat The Department OF Agrf
culture aims passing shot at the
methods IN the United States Of dis
rlbuting the meat through long limo
Of middlemen in this fashion
IAN important reason why farmers
produce less meat than formerly is to
be found in the system Of distribution
4 from producer to consumer that has
grown up in this country In most Of
the countries Of Europe public abat-
TORS have been constructed to which
farmers may consign their fat stock,
the meat from which il then sold to
the consumer without passing through
the hands OF an lnterninable line Of
middlemen, each of whom takes his
toll In this country the farmer re-
ceives only a small fraction Of the
price paid by the consumer. Enor.
nous packing establishments have
monopolized the business, and there
is little or no competition IN buying
the farmers stock. The enormous
fortunes that have grown up In this
business in recent years show that
the farmer has not been getting his
full share OF the profits.
Again, the retail meat business as
al present conducted in cities renders
enormous profits necessary. Nnmer-
obs small groceries, each with It's in
dependent delivery system clerks, fix
lures, etc, each serve a few patrons
scattered over considerable overlap
ping areas. Better organization ct
the retail business, whereby II shall
be conducted In larger units. with
well systemized methods Of delivery
are seriously needed Such organi-
zatson should greatly lessen the re-
q