10 'A STUDY .O.F FARM ANIMALS 



relating to farm live stock. One of the most interesting 

 sights to be seen in Europe is the annual show of the Royal 

 Agricultural Society of England, where live stock is made 

 the leading feature, and where vast throngs of people go to 

 inspect and talk over the animals and watch the judges at 

 their work. The average Britisher is a lover of animals, 

 and expresses a common, inherited sentiment. This dis- 

 position on the part of a people develops the finer, more 

 sympathetic qualities, and broadens and strengthens char- 

 acter. In the same way, the boy or girl who shows a devo- 

 tion to the animal given to his or her care becomes more 

 sympathetic and broader minded, and is rendered more 

 resourceful and capable. From another point of view, ani- 

 mals play a most important part on account of their uses 

 for food and labor. The study of animals as, relating to 

 farm economy and the markets of the world becomes, there- 

 fore, a most important matter. 



The commercial importance of the live stock industry is 

 so great that only a brief reference can be made to it here. 

 One is unable to comprehend the magnitude of the figures 

 which relate to either numbers or values of farm animals. 

 According to the report of the United States Census, on 

 January 1, 1920, the farm animals in this country made the 

 following showing in numbers. 



Class of Live Stock Number 



Horses 21,848,000 



Mules 5,829,000 



Milch cows 20,892,000 



Other cattle* 48,031,000 



Sheep 35,435,000 



Swine 62,007,000 



194,042,000 



By these figures we see that we had in 1920 about 195 

 million animals on our farms, a number far too big to 

 comprehend. The significant thing is simply to realize the 

 vastness of our live-stock industry, and the enormous sum of 



*Includes beef cattle of various kinds and oxen. 



