No. 4.] BEEF PRODUCTION IN NEW ENGLAND. 63 



mat of grass has a heavy vaporizing power. Once grazed 

 oft', vaporization from the soil direct occurs. Grazing cattle 

 pull at the roots, and injure this bunched grass by tramp- 

 ling as they do not over close matted grazing areas. These 

 and other causes account for the fact that, on ground where 

 cattle can be grazed the year round free of rental expense, 

 the numbers have been greatly reduced. 



It is to be especially noted that during the brief period 

 occupied in stocking the ranges their breeding stock and 

 young things were constantly being absorbed by the 

 increased area annually occupied. AYhen it became occu- 

 pied in full all at once a great increase of range-fed cattle in 

 eastern markets occurred. Prices went down, down, to 

 rates impossible to duplicate by eastern feeders at a profit. 

 This discouraged even range sales, and cattle, so far as con- 

 ditions Avould admit, were held back, spreading low rates 

 over years of time. At last the readjustment of cattle to 

 range capacity is practically completed, except so far as 

 settlers and agricultural methods modify the situation. 

 This adjustment is upon the basis of greatly reduced num- 

 bers in the face of rapidl}^ increasing population, and a 

 constant absorption of range area into tillage farms. The 

 range as a menace to beef production on farms has passed 

 into history. 



The steady increase of meat consumption with the in- 

 crease of wealth bears materially on the prospective relation 

 of meat supply to consumption. More meat is consumed 

 per capita in both Europe and this country as the years go 

 by and wealth accunmlates. The relation of wealth to meat 

 consumption is well illustrated by Italy in its consumption 

 of only one-sixth the meat per capita of that of the United 

 States. Again there is an irreconcilable conflict between 

 man and domestic animals. This is settled by the Hindoos 

 by their religion, which is in fact in opposition to meat con- 

 sumption, making sacred much of animal life. 



Under average conditions as now existing in New England 

 it requires 5I/2 acres of ground to maintain a steer one year. 

 It is probable that 300 pounds will represent the average 

 yearly growth. By German data 149.1 pounds of this is 



