62 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



The great live-stock markets have shown this year, 

 despite the allurement of exceedinglj high prices ($8.40 

 per 100 pounds live Aveight having been reached in Chicago), 

 a marked decrease in receipts over last year, and over pre- 

 ceding 3^cars for nearly a decade. Low prices, averaging 

 for the country for cattle other than cows at the lowest 

 point for a decade in 1895, but $14.06 per head, no doubt 

 discouraged breeders, and in part explains a decline of 

 9,667,014 cattle in the seven years from 1892 to 1899 ; but 

 the constant rise from 1895 to 1899, from $14.06 to $22.79, 

 failed to induce an increase in total numbers, or even to 

 check the phenomenal decrease of stock. The present 

 higher prices, nearly double those of 1895, make it evident 

 that this further rise in prices has not given a sufficiently 

 upward turn in the numbers of beef animals to meet grow- 

 ing demands for them. 



I have not (juoted from tiic last census, as the basis of 

 enumeration Avas changed and the proper basis of compari- 

 son destroyed. The statistician, however, regards it as 

 probable that a loss of neat cattle of from 7 to 9 per cent 

 occurred during the decade from 1890 to 1900. This de- 

 crease was accompanied by an increase of })o})ulation of 21 

 per cent. The most significant feature of this probable 

 decrease of neat cattle from 1890 to 1900 is in the loca- 

 tion of the loss. It was found to be greatest in the great 

 free-range section, from whence has come the severest strain 

 upon our beef producers. Is this loss due to the unin'ofit- 

 able character of the range beef production? No, but from 

 the decreasing capacity of ranges. Settlers have withdrawn 

 large areas and are constantly making inroads into the graz- 

 ing section. Further trouble awaits ranchmen. Govern- 

 ment is ordering fences down and rental rates are impending. 



The chief cause of the decline of cattle is found in the 

 character of the grass and atmospheric conditions. In this 

 rainless area grass may accumulate and hold its (|uality and 

 palatableness, as rains do not deteriorate it. Once the 

 surplus is grazed off only the annual production can be had. 



The insufficiency of moisture by the law of the survival 

 of the fittest gives first place to the bunch grass, as a close 



