334 ANNUAL, REPORT OF THE Off. Doc, 



PAPERS READ AND ADDRESSES DELIVERED 

 AT THE THIRTY-SECOND ANNUAL MEETING 

 OF THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE BOARD OF 

 AGRICULTURE, HELD AT HARRISBURG, PA., 

 JANUARY 26 AND 27, 1909. 



KEFORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LIVESTOCK. 



By I. A. ESCHBACH, Chairman. 



The Livestock industry of our Keystone State is one of paramount 

 interest to the farmers. The horse, the cow, as well as all the other 

 animals of smaller dimensions, contribute so much to our comfort, 

 convenience, and financial success, that, were we deprived of all 

 these friends, I fear the farmer would soon degenerate, possibly to 

 a lower level than some of the more intelligent of the animals we 

 have under our care. 



During the past three months especially, many hearts of our good 

 people of our section of the State have ached for the loss of some 

 very valuable cattle that had become part of their very lives. Their 

 business gone, as well as the cattle they had learned to love and 

 provide for, and these people are at this very time very anxious to 

 again embark, and replenish their herds with the very best they 

 can find. I refer to the outbreak of the Apthous Fever or "Foot 

 and Mouth Disease." And while we people northward, and adjoin- 

 ing counties cannot help but express our thanks to our worthy Secre- 

 tary of Agriculture, and our etticient Livestock Sanitary Board for 

 their prompt action in striking out and trying to rid the State of the 

 dread plague, we feel, also, that it is almost time to let up, and have 

 these people again doing business without such hide-bound restric- 

 tions. Much more might be said, but a hint in this direction may 

 help to relieve matters for the benefit of our farmers and dairymen. 



According to the report of 11)06, we have in Pennsylvania 



607,010 horses, valued at |66,127,689. 



40,864 mules, valued at $5,024,210. 



1,141,494 milch cows, valued at |41,093,784. 



984,750 other cattle, valued at |17,479,308. 



1,102,058 sheep, valued at 15,353,799. 



989,885 swine, valued at $9,303,039. 



It seems evident that this amount of cattle, especially, has in- 

 creased since that time, owing to the growing demand for milk and 

 cream in our larger towns and cities, and also the demand for good 

 beef and pork as well. We feel justified, therefore, in advising the 

 raising of more cattle in Pennsylvania, although in districts where 

 mixed farming is practised, it becomes a question, very often, 

 whether it is a success financially; but it is the opinion of your Com- 

 mittee still, that Pennsvlvania farmers should raise more cattle. 



