DISTRIBUTION OF CATTLE. 163 



have depreciated from an average of 145 per cent, in 1840, to 

 115 per cent, in 1850 ; while tliose west of that river have 

 increased their ratio from 131 per cent, in 1840, to 159 per 

 cent, in 1850. Texas stands at the head of the list, having 438 

 cattle to every 100 oi its inhabitants. 



During the decade, ending in 1860, the minimum class remains 

 nearly the same. South Carolina, which had risen to the max- 

 imum class in 1850, is included in this class, while Indiana has 

 risen to the medium class, furnishing 87 per cent. 



The medium class now contains many States which in 1850, 

 were allocated with the maximum class. Alabama, Georgia, 

 Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, and New Hamp- 

 shire, now contain from 80 to 100 per cent. During this decade, 

 of all these States, Indiana alone has made an increase, rising 

 from 72 to 87 per cent. 



The maximum class now numbers but two States east of the 

 Mississippi — Florida and Vermont. The States of Texas, Ore- 

 gon, California, Arkansas, and Kansas, Washington, Nebraska, 

 and the other territories now compose this class. 



Thus we see the supply of cattle in the South-West is much 

 larger than in the middle or eastern portion of tlie country ; 

 and although the southern States are better supplied than the 

 northern, still their future and main reliance must be on Texas. 

 This accounts for the tenacity with which the rebels have held 

 on to that State. From the facts above stated, the two general 

 laws, are, we think, plainly shown. 



1. That, taking all the States into the account, every 100 

 inhabitants require 80 neat cattle ; of which 8 must be working, 

 oxen, 28 milch cows, and 44 other cattle. The fact that this 

 ratio has not varied one per cent, for 30 years, settles the fact of 

 its very close approximation to the truth. 



2. That cattle are moving eastward, and capital ivestward^ 

 But all general laws of this kind are subject to modifications by 

 disturbing forces. In the present instance the cattle on the 

 Pacific slope, as well as most of the cattle in Texas, should be 

 excluded, in considering the question of demand and supply of 

 individual States, for the reasons that the cattle west of the 

 Rocky Mountains are isolated from the United States proper, 

 and most of those in Texas are not sufficiently domesticated to 

 be driven east in any great numbers. In discussing the ques- 



