258 ANNUM. REPORT OF THE Off. Dec, 



REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LIVE STOCK, 



By Dh. M. E. CONiiRi), Chairman. 



In reporting upon the live stock of Pennsylvania at this time, 

 we feel very much handicapped for want of more definite knowledge 

 of changes that have occurred and are constanj_ly going on affecting 

 values and numbers since the last census. That the values have 

 radically advanced we are very sure, but whether the brute popula- 

 tion has decreased in proportion we are very doubtful. In fact, Ave 

 do not think it has. We believe that a census taken at this time 

 would show a marked increase in money values, but for want of this 

 knowledge a correct sum total cannot be reached. The past two 

 3 ears have presented a remarkable combination of conditions di- 

 rectly affecting the live stock industry of the Eastern States. Con- 

 ditions that require careful study and intelligent manipulation to 

 accomplish the best results and avoid hardship and loss to the 

 dairy and stock man. The shortage of the corn crops of 1901, 

 followed by the excessively high prices demanded for all kinds of 

 mill feed and the present short crop of hay without a corresponding 

 increase in the prices of milk and butter has cast a shadow over 

 the dairv business, which even though it may be and probablv is 

 temporary, has had the effect to induce every keeper of cows to 

 take advantage, more or less, of the inflated beef market to thin 

 out his dairy, and in some cases to dispose of the entire breed and 

 substitute beef cattle. And now that the beef is approaching its 

 original price this move has not proven a judicious one in many 

 cases; but it has had the effect of reducing the number of dairy 

 cows in the country so that the price demanded for them has ad- 

 vanced at least $10 per head in the past two yenrs, making it very 

 oppressive to the man who depends upon the purchasing of cows 

 to replenish his herd. 



The sympathetic high price of veal has done much to embarrass 

 the rearing of graded and common stock calves, reducing to a 

 measure tlu' supply of home-raised stock for the dairy. We believe 

 that dairy cattle are demanding a price at the present time, in Penn 

 sylvania. never before surpassed, if it wns ever equalled. The con- 



