llEPORT OP THE SECKETARY OP AGRICULTURE. 9 



keeps only enough animals to supply meat to his family, as well as 

 the large ranch owner, has received assistance. The attention 

 of the single-crop farmer has been directed to the need of diversifica- 

 tion and the introduction of live stock as essential to a sound agri- 

 cultural economy. That more beef animals should be produced in 

 the settled areas of the country, particularly in the South, is beyond 

 question. In many sections the feeding of beef cattle is one of the 

 best means of utilizing rough feed and of supplying stable manure 

 for crops. 



Considerable work has been done in the South by the Bureau of 

 Animal Industry to develop the practice of feeding cotton-seed 

 cake to cattle pastured in summer; and recent experiments have 

 demonstrated the feasibility of feeding calves to produce baby beef. 

 The success of these experiments, it is expected, will lead gradually 

 to a change throughout the entire South. Furthermore, in coopera- 

 tion with the State agricultural colleges, the production of pure-bred 

 cattle and hogs in the South is being made possible through the 

 organization of live-stock associations and the introduction of reg- 

 istered beef cattle and hogs for breeding purposes. 



In the Great Plains region the problem is to utilize roughage and 

 dry-land grains. Eemoteness from market or the necessity for rais- 

 ing crops which must be consumed on the farm makes cattle raising 

 imperative. In the Panhandle of Texas demonstrations conducted 

 by the department indicate that beef production may become a feature 

 of farming in that section. Every year a greater number of catttle is 

 fed there and marketed direct. This practice makes it possible to 

 maintain on a smaller acreage more cattle than the old range condi- 

 tions permitted and greatly enhances the possibilities of beef pro- 

 duction. 



Pig and poultry clubs. — Among the most promismg agencies for 

 increasing the meat supply of the country, and particularly that of 

 the individual farm, are the pig clubs. These organizations have been 

 developed as rapidly as funds permitted. Originally started in the 

 South, the clubs have extended into many Northern and Western 

 States, and during the year they had a membership of about 

 9,000 boys and girls. In 11 counties in Georgia where pig-club work 

 is conducted, 11,000,000 pounds of cured pork were produced during 

 1914. A large percentage of the farmers in these counties also are 

 producing pork ; and the hogs in pig-club communities are increasing 



