LIVE-STOCK. 



505 



table would lead us to expect. In 1884, with an increase of 

 $11,500,000 in the exports, and with 14 more cattle per 1000 of 

 population, the price advanced 42 cents, and reached $6.05 per 

 loo pounds. In 1885, with the number of cattle per 1000 of pop- 

 ulation at the highest point, and with a falling off of $4,000,000 

 in exports, the price dropped to $5.15 per 100 pounds. In 1886 

 and 1887, with a slight decrease in the relative number of cattle, 

 and with a large reduction in exports, the price of steers de- 

 creased 35 cents in 1886, and 15 cents in 1887. The export 

 trade revived somewhat in 1888, and the number of cattle in 

 proportion to population continued to decrease ; we are not sur- 

 prised to find, therefore, an advance of 27 cents per 100 pounds 

 in the mean price of beef steers. In 1889, with an increase of 

 nearly $10,000,000 in the exports, and a decrease of 14 cattle 

 other than milch cows, per 1000 of population, the mean price 

 of steers declined 52 cents per 100 pounds. 



Having examined the table given above somewhat critically, 

 we are forced to the conclusion that the fluctuation in the price 

 of steers cannot be explained by the simple consideration of 

 the number of cattle in proportion to the population, or by com- 

 bining this information with the statistics of the export trade. 

 The chief disturbing condition, and one to which we have al- 

 ready referred, is the price of hogs. To illustrate the influence 

 of these conditions, the following table is added : 



Table showing the mean price of hogs and beef steers in Chicago, for the years 

 from 1879 t J 889, inclusive. 



