KEPQRT OF THE STATISTICIAN. 



219 



This brancb of the live-stock tra,cle shows a marked decline during 

 the years under consideration, the numbers being reduced nearly two- 

 thirds since 1873. 



Cattle. — The number of cattle received during the year was 1.006,745, 

 an increase of 10 per cent, over 1875; the shipments were 707,724, an 

 increase of 14-^ per cent. The monthly receipts and shipments of the 

 last six years were as follows : 



The cattle trade of 187G was by far the largest on record, and was 

 steady and uninterrupted during the year. The immense corn-crop of 

 1875, far exceeding the demand of the market for this grain, induced 

 northwestern farmers to go extensively into stock-feeding. A sufBcient 

 number of hogs could not be obtained for its consumption, and hence 

 cattle-feeding was resorted to for the disposal of the surplus. Hence, 

 during the fall months of 1875, a larger number of cattle were got to- 

 gether upon farms dependent upon the Chicago market than ever before 

 known. November and December of that year were remarkably mild, 

 and the grass continued green and fresh to an unusually late i)eriod. 

 It soon became apparent that an immense beef-production was going 

 forward, and that the supply of cattle would be unprecedentedly large. 

 The Chicago market verified these indications by the receipt of a very 

 large number of cattle in January, a month in which transactions are 

 usually limited. Prices for the season opened at $3.75 ® $G per cental, 

 but gradually receded till at the beginning of April the best cattle in 

 the market commanded only $4.75. In the first week of May prices 

 rallied to $5 © $5.25 fm- choice animals, but they gradually fell off till 

 in the closing months of the season the maximum was quoted at $4.60 

 ® $4.75. Toward the close of the year another rally is noted, bringing 

 up the highest grade of beeves to $5 © $5.50. Lower grades did not 

 shrink so heavily. While choice and extra beeves averaged at least SI 

 per cental lower than in 1875, the decline in the less valuable stock 

 was only 50 ® 75 cents. A large number of consumers were driven by 

 financial considerations to the use of cheaper beef than they had been 

 accustomed to. 



The largest number ever marketed here during any single month, 

 115,140, was in May, 1876, while every month indicated a great advance 

 upon the corresponding month of 1875. All the States and Territories 

 8upi)lying this market except Texas showed a greater or less increase, 

 especially the regions west of the Missouri River. Colorado, Wyo- 



