The Washington times., 1915-05-22

Prices Of livestock having turned up
ward after a long period Of depression,
IL Is now confidently believed by the
agricultural authorities of this country
that there is also well under way q
strong movement for increase Of the
american production of meat animals.
The possibility that within the next
generation the amount of livestock in
the country will approximately double
is taken very seriously.
This Is the more striking because the
industry has been almost at o standstill
Tor more than two decades. A few years
ago 1t was a widely entertained opinion
that our stock industry had passed its
zenith and was destined to q slow but
pretty steady decrease. Today the very
reverse of that view is held by the best
authorities.
Result of War.
II this immense expansion of tho live
stock business shall come to pass as ID
now anticipated. 1t will be one Of the
results of the European war.
-, 1t has been pointed out heretofore
@ @.hat me war Is causing a rapid deple-
tion OF the livestock resources OF Europe
ana South America, with Europe much
the severest sufferer. The United States
Is not suffering in any such fashion, but
on the contrary the last two years have
seen an Increase In the numbers Of meat
raj reasons why 1t Is now believed that
this Increase will continue at a rapid
pace for years to come.
First and most important Of these
reasons Is that the South is going In
for livestock as a means to diversi-
Tying its agriculture.
Move Long Urged.
For two decades this move has been
urged. with very unimportant results
The prices Of cotton were high and
getting higher. and in such circum-
stances there was little inspiration to
attempt experiments with a new crop.
But the war gave cotton a severe blow.
commanded attention to the dangers OF
reliance on single great staple, and
has Induced many people to make plans
for livestock production.
The South has vast areas that are
not fitted to cotton, but are available for
stock; fact that made little impress
sion. despite constant reiteration. until
the cotton crisis Of the past year.
Now, however, although cotton 10 on
the way back TO its throne as King
Cotton. the livestock idea Is firmly fixed
In the Southern mind. The South alone
probably one-half the present amount,
without intruding into tho field that
cotton now occupies.
Not Only Section.
But this Is not the only section In
which livestock Is by way of beins
restored to a moro prominent position
in the agricultural program. Through
out the agricultural sections of the
East attention Is being given more and
more to stock.
The middle West Is producing its owr
feeding cattle in greater proportion
because 1t Is learning that It cannot rely
on the far Western ranges to send
The ranges are not sustaining &C
many cattle as they did years ago
having been worn out by over-feeiins
In many sections. Unable to get stocl
for their feed lots from the ranges
middle Western farmers are recosniz
calves: and they are doing IT.
In this connection a curious develop
ment of the next decade begins to ap
pear among the serious possibilities
There are more than 20 900 900 milch cow
in this country: largely maintained II
the vicinity Of the great centers o.
population. In the past the calvei
been killed for veal. Most of them ar,
from breeds that have small value fo
fattening, andi the most economic us,
OF the calves has been to sacrifice them
aside from the proportion needed t.
maintain the milk capacity Of the herds
New View Of Calf.
But the movement for more livestocI
suited to meat uses has brought a new