14 



Chester Whites. Henderson : Oxen sell at from $40 to $50 per pair or yoke. Eusk : 

 Many horses and mules have been driven here for sale, and the low price of cotton and 

 scarcity of money have reduced the price fully 25 per cent. Titus : Horses of 

 common stock increasing in number ; also mules of the bettor grade, while the 

 Mexican half-breeds are rapidly decreasing. Beef-cattle increasing, but oxen de- 

 clining, mules taking their place. A rapid decrease in hogs, owing to an unknown 

 disease which causes sudden death. Kendall : Increasing interest in raising mules, 

 which are more salable and remunerative than horses. The quality of hogs im- 

 proving by crossing native with imported stock. They require no feeding ; acorns, 

 plums, vrild apples, cherries, and grapes being amply sufficient. Milch cows selling 

 for nearly three times as much as they did three years ago. A general disposition 

 to improve the stock by importation. Houston : More hogs than cows, and at least 

 two milch cows, one horse, and perhaps oue mule, to every inhabitant ; few sheep ; 

 have never known horses, mules, oxen, cows, or sheep sold under three years old. 

 Grayson : As the wild grass of the county is just failing, herds of cattle are being driven 

 out west. Owing to meager prices, horses and mules are accumulating. Bed Riven' : 

 The number of ponies or common stock makes the average price of horses low. Mules 

 in demand, but scarcity of money reduces the average price. Oxen and other cattle 

 are decreased in number from the shortness of crops and scarcity of feed. Hogs very 

 scarce owing to continued prevalence of cholera. Williamson : The increase in horses 

 and mules is owing to the fact fchat there has not been a demand for them. Work- 

 oxen, -well broke, sell readily for $50 to $65 per yoke. Beeves over four years old sold 

 last month for $25 per head. Milch cows not sold as formerly to be driven to Kansas ; 

 it is more profitable to keep them. Several flocks of sheep added to the number in the 

 county within the past year. More attention to them than formerly ; it has been found 

 that it pays better. Only hogs enough raised for home consumption. Wood: Beef cattle 

 killed up very close this year, owing to the high price of bacon and the scarcity of money 

 with which to buy it. Hogs have died to a considerable extent with cholera. Fayette : 

 Sheep on the decrease in consequence of more attention to farming. Horses rate low 

 because there are very few good ones in the county. Cattle decreasing in numbers but 

 advancing inprice ; better breeds being introduced. Grown cattle, of fine blood, brought 

 from the Northern and Western States, do not live long ; brought young, they do a 

 great deal better. Hogs scarce, but better breeds being introduced. Cullin : An in- 

 crease of horses raised of over 25 per cent., but the Government has bought largely for 

 cavalry purposes within the past year, which keeps the number down. The decrease 

 in cattle is due to the fact that several large cattle-owners have moved their herds far- 

 ther west for better range. Bosque : At least 25 per cent, of the whole number of bee f 

 cattle have been driven off the past year, and the demand seems to be increasing and 

 prices better. There is also a demand for mules and more attention to raising them. 

 But few sheep. Burnet: Stock horses have been doing well, the loss of colts being 

 smaller than for several years. Work-horses are sold at an average price of $80. 

 The number of mules raised increasing, but still insignificant. The increase in 

 cattle owing to the fact that very few have been driven out of the county. The price 

 of work-oxen ran>^es from $50 to $80 per yoke. For the purpose of improving native 

 stock, by crosses with short-horns, several small droves of fine cattle have been im- 

 ported by enterprising men, but the loss by death is so large as to be somewhat dis- 

 couraging. Bee: During the past year, thousands of sheep have been brought into 

 this from western counties. Ellis : No young cattle sold separate ; sales are either as 

 etock-cattle, which include cows, calves, yearlings, and two-year-olds, now worth $6 

 per head ; or milch cows and calves, worth $20 ; or beeves, worth about $18 per head ; 

 or work-oxen, $25 per head. Hogs only raised for home consumption. Smith: In- 

 creased attention to hogs ; improved breeds being introduced. De Witt : Raising better 

 horses than formerly, and mules receiving more attention. Cattle decreasing in num- 

 ber, but improving in quality. Sheep attracting much attention ; more engaging in 

 raising them; all taking better care of them, and consequently making more money. 

 Hunt : The decrease in horses owing to the fact that native stock is gradually giving 

 way to improved breeds ; the decline in price owing to general depression in trade. 

 Mules have been improved by finer stock raised and brought into the county. Oxen 

 are being dispensed with, on account of transportation furnished by railroads. Milch- 

 cows and hogs decreasing in numbers but improving in breeds. Live Oak : The falling 

 off in cattle owing to the fact of so much shipping and driving to Kansas the past 

 year. The price of stock (and lands) improving. Nueces : During the past year the 

 sale of cows for their hide and tallow has been partially discontinued, from necessity. 

 There is scarcely one cow or beef ou the range now where there were ten ten years ago. 

 The ruinous business of shipping suckling calves of both sexes to the New Orleans 

 market still continues. The decrease in cattle on the ranges of all who practice this, 

 is making the pernicious results plain to all. Horses have done remarkably well 

 as regards increase, but poorly as regards remuneration, there being no market for the 

 surplus stock. A few mules have been sold, unbroken< at $40 per head. Except those 

 lost by the great storm in September, sheep have done as well as the most zealous 



