157 



Las been extremely bard, yet the fiirmers, in view of a, scarcity of feed 

 of all kinds, took the precaution to furnish their stock with better quar- 

 ters and to feed them with more regularity and care, and therefore have 

 brought them through iu good condition and with very few losses. In 

 Tennessee, West Virginia, and Kentucky, farmers are ie]:)orted as making 

 some progress in the discovery that suitable shelter for stock in winter 

 resnlts in greatly-diminished losses, and a fair condition with less feed. 

 In all the States north of the Potomac and Ohio, and in Minnesota, 

 stock, being generally housed, has come through the winter iu remarka- 

 blj- good condition. Out of four hundred and eight definite returns for 

 the condition of cattle from these States, only sixty-three are below aver- 

 age ; and out of four hundred and seventeen for sheep, only forty are be- 

 low. The reduced condition iu these few instances is chiefly ascribed 

 to local scarcity of feed ; though, iu southern Indiana and Illinois, quite 

 as often to lack of shelter. The returns of condition are tabulated as 

 follows: 



Cattle. — Eeturns for condition in all the States foot up as follows : 

 Total, 1,181; above average, 313; average, 524; below, 314; not specified, 

 30. In classifying returns, those which specify good condition without 

 qualification (as large numbers do) are placed as average, while only 

 those which are characterized by some stronger epithet are placed above. 

 The general condition in the several States is sufficiently indicated by 



