106 



AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



Monthly range of prices during 1871 and 1872. 



The market was well supplied with fair qualities of mutton sheep. 



Shee}) lyroducis. — Eeceipts of wool during 1871, 27,026,021 pounds 5 

 receipts of wool during 1872, 28,290,989 pounds; shipments, 1871, 

 24,351,524 pounds ; 1872, 25,833,447 pounds. 



Horses. — During 1872, 12,145 horses were received and 10,027 shipped. 



The receipts of live stock by rail during the year occupied 109,080 

 cars ; the shipments, 54,275 cars. The values of farm animals received 

 are estimated as follows: cattle, $41,000,000; hogs, $33,500,000; sheep, 

 $950,000. 



SAINT lolt:s. 



Cattle. — The receipts of cattle show an increase over last year of 

 69,961. Both receipts and shipments were greater than in any previous 

 year. The season for receiving Texas cattle commenced May 17, at 

 least a month earlier than in the i)revious year. They came first in 

 small droves, but increased in numbers as the season advanced. It is 

 estimated that the increase in this class of cattle over 1871 amounted 

 to 123,898. In the latter part of August the Texas cattle fever was 

 developed among the native cattle, and was fatal to large numbers. 

 This kept the latter out of market, and also had the effect of stopping 

 large droves of Texans in transit to this market. The values of the 

 latter consequently decreased. As to quality they were generally thin, 

 rough, and but half fattened. Well- wintered and stall fed Texans were 

 in good request during the year, and at fair prices ; others could be dis- 

 posed of only to feeders and speculators. The receipts of '• through 

 Texans" were estimated at 211,108 against 87,210 in 1871. Good to 

 choice wintered brought from $3.50 to $4.25 per cental; common to fair 

 fresh, $2.50 to $3 ; inferior, $1.50 to $2.25. 



The receipts of native or domestic cattle were mostly from Iowa and 

 North Missouri. In numbers and quality they were about the same as 

 last year, but the great bulk of this class of cattle went through to 

 eastern markets in first hands. The irruption of Texas cattle so far 

 reduced the prices of all grades of native cattle that shippers preferred 

 the risks of eastern markets. Extra to choice native steers brought 

 from $6.25 to $6.50 per cental ; prime to choice, $5.75 to $0; fair to 

 good, $4.25 to $4.75; common, $2.25 to $2.75; stock steers, $3.50 to 

 $4.50. 



The monthly receipts and shipments of cattle during 1872 were as 

 follows: 



Months. 



JanTiary . 

 February 

 !March . '. . 



April 



ilay 



(lune 



July 



Kccoipts. Sliijvraents. 



14,444 

 14, 090 



12, 065 



13, 090 

 13, 493 

 25, 929 

 27, 237 



8,716 

 9, 953 

 9, 979 

 y, 8G9 

 l^', 382 

 18, 702 

 14, 601 



Months. 



August . . . 

 September 

 October . . . 

 November 

 December. 



Total 



Iteceipts. Shipments. 



34, 420 

 32, 024 



34, 757 

 25, 778 

 15, 257 



203. 404 



21,127 

 IC, 000 

 20, 671 

 14, 545 

 12, 227 



164, 773 



