93 



overbalancing the cost of winter-feeding and care. In Delaware all ani- 

 mals except horses decline in weight. 



In Maryland there is also a decline, more perceptible in those coun- 

 ties in which poor shelter is the rule ; the loss of weight ranges from 5 

 to 15 per cent. Down the Atlantic coast the rate of loss increases — 

 cause, neglect. In Virginia, while horses almost hold their own, cows 

 and sheep show losses from 10 to 40 per cent. ; yet in some cases it is 

 reported that fed animals increase 2 pounds per day. The depreciation 

 of fartu-animals grows still more marked in North Carolina, South Car- 

 olina, and Georgia, the decline of stock-cattle in several counties reach- 

 ing an average of 60 per cent. 



In Florida the winter-grass is abundant, though not very fattening ; 

 even in this mild climate it is reported that in many places it is esteemed 

 lucky if cattle and sheep survive the winter. One correspondent in 

 Alabama estimates the average loss of weight in cattle and sheep in his 

 county at over 60 per cent. Another presents a pathetic picture of the 

 faithful family cow '' shivering herself away in the beating rains and 

 winds," with no shelter except a fence-corner. " Sheep are not seen for 

 weeks, and are very unwelcome visitors at the farm-yard, especially dur- 

 ing cold sleeting weather." In more than one county of Mississippi 

 cattle and sheep die of starvation. A less wasteful system appears in 

 Louisiana and Texas, yet here are many flagrant cases of neglect, entail- 

 ing terrible losses upon cattle and sheep. 



In Arkansas the percentages of decline are less, though in one or two 

 cases they amount to 30 per cent. In Tennessee the improvement is 

 still greater. In West Virginia and Kentucky the average loss de- 

 clines to 10 or 15 per cent., though some flagrant exceptions are noted. 



There is an approach to normal condition in many counties of Ohio, 

 where the rate of decline varies between 1 and 10 per cent., with iso- 

 lated cases of greater loss. The value of good shelter is practically re- 

 alized in the absence of decline and increase of weight in several coun- 

 ties. In Ross three and four-year old cattle under shelter gain from 

 200 to 300 pounds, but only io per cent, of the cattle are adequately 

 sheltered. Here two-year-old stock, only half fed, will gain from 5 to 10 

 per cent, if sheltered. Most of the counties in Michigan report greater 

 or less decline, though several maintain a good average. The loss in 

 some cases amounts to 25 per cent. In Indiana there is a greater net de- 

 cline of weight upon the whole. In Illinois the range of decline is about 

 the same. Our reports from Wisconsin, less numerous than usual, show 

 a generally better condition at the close of the feeding-season. In 

 Waukesha County it is recommended that sheep be fed hay in yards 

 surrounded by a tight board fence 6 feet high, and coi^iously littered 

 with straw every two or three days. 



In Minnesota the highest average decline does not exceed 10 per cent. 

 In some counties of Iowa old stock falls off about 20 per cent., but this 

 is partially balanced by the increase of younger animals. Cows gener- 

 ally lose*, sheep and stock-cattle show a still greater decline. The 

 average loss probably does not exceed 10 per cent, in any county. In 

 Minnesota the range of cattle and hogs is between 40 per cent, gain and 

 40 per cent. loss. One correspondent is very severe on slipshod farmers, 

 who are satisfied if animals can just kick in the spring. The better 

 class of farmers, who, however, are in the minority, do not allow their 

 animals to lose weight. In Kansas the rate of loss has been greatly in- 

 creased by the devastations of grasshoppers, though in Crawford County 

 live-stock have done exceptionably well. In Franklin, on the other 

 hand, there was a fearful loss in the spring. In some counties the price 



