FARM ANIMALS 89 



time sheep have gradually been crowding cattle 

 from the western ranges and reducing the number 

 which is run under the old methods of the cattle 

 business. 



With the adoption of modern market require- 

 ments for the quality of beef, the old classes of 

 beef animals went out of style and were replaced 

 by improved beef breeds which would mature more 

 early and produce a better style of beef animal. 

 The propaganda, thus originated, spread first over 

 the corn belt where the best quality of beef animals 

 is still raised, but has gradually extended over the 

 western ranges until the old Texas longhorn with 

 his shaggy coat and lank frame has almost dis- 

 appeared and has been replaced by Herefords, 

 Shorthorns, Angus, Galloways, Red Polls, and 

 other beef breeds with their grades. 



According to the most recent estimates the num- 

 ber of beef cattle in the United States is 43,670,000. 

 Of this number twenty per cent, are annually 

 slaughtered for beef. The number of calves from 

 beef cows raised to maturity is eighty per cent. 

 During the year 1905, the total number of cattle 

 slaughtered "in the United States was 12,500,000 

 of which 875,000 were exported. The aver- 

 age value of the carcasses of these animals was 

 $41.50. 



In order to start in the business of beef produc- 

 tion in the right manner, it is necessary to know 

 something of the different beef breeds. Naturally 

 it is impossible to make a choice in this matter for 

 different persons, but some of the characteristics 

 of the different pure breeds now produced in the 

 United States may be given in order that the indi- 

 vidual may choose from this list according to his 

 peculiar conditions. 



