264 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



The valley of the Mississippi north of Cairo must constitute the great source 

 from ^vhence the north and east will derive their neat cattle, beef, butter, cheese, 

 and milk for yeai-s to come, 



CATTLE IN DISLOYAL STATES, 



At the close of the year 1860 the southern States were all well supplied with 

 neat cattle. But one or two States were found in which there was a deficit, 

 and where this existed, it was very small indeed. On the other hand, most of 

 these States had a very large surplus. This section of the United States as a 

 whole was overstocked with cattle. In this respect no country could have been 

 better prepared for rebellion. By reference to Tables VI and VII it will be 

 seen that there was a net surplus of l,5o3,151 neat cattle within their borders. 



In the beginning of the year 1861 the entire northern line of these States 

 •felt the shock of war, A cordon of armed men Avas drawn from the Atlantic 

 to the Rocky mountains, through which cattle could not pass. During this year 

 the greater portion of the southern people enjoyed quiet, and their peaceful homes 

 were undisturbed. Neat cattle could not have been materially affected, and at 

 the close of the year this section of the country could not have diminished its 

 stock of neat cattle sufiiciently to have justified any serious anticipations of a 

 deficiency in their supply of beef, butter, cheese, and milk. 



The year 1862 opened with a general movement of the armed forces on the 

 northern borders of the rebel territory, and cattle began to move southward. 

 Less attention was paid to the cultivation of the soil, and the great army of the 

 south fed upon its vast herds of cattle. The armies of the north encroached 

 more and more, and consumed all which had not been removed. Nevertheless 

 the close of this year found cattle in abundance in much the larger portion of 

 rebel territory. 



The year 1863 produced greater changes. Armed men no longer existed as 

 a cordon on the northern parts of the rebel territory. Kentucky and Tennes- 

 see were passed over, the Mississippi valley occupied by northern men, and the 

 territory of the south sundered. Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Louisiana 

 could not be said to have been under the direct and entire control of the rebels. 

 Cattle, negroes, and rebels were pressed Avithin less than one-half the territory 

 occupied by them in 1861. The result of this aggregation must have been to 

 have caused the consumption of a large portion of their neat cattle. The ordi- 

 nary routine of plantation life now had been seriously disturbed, if not effectu- 

 ally destroyed. A large increase of slave population from Kentucky, Tennes- 

 see, and the northern parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia, had 

 to be fed, while at the same time they were not as productive as in their former 

 condition, Eaids of armed men penetrated the interior of rebel territory from 

 all directions, and at the close of this year there had been a great change within 

 the rebel limits. These causes, together with the extravagant prices prevailing 

 within their borders, and the general deficiency in the ordinary articles of food, 

 must have made a great reduction in their stock of cattle before the opening 

 of the year 1864. 



While this condition remains, the agriculturist must close his researches in 

 this direction, and not till peace, prosperity, and happiness regain their proper 

 sway can he hope 1^ pursue his investigations with success. 



